Introduction

The use of drugs and other pharmacologically active substances for recreational, medical and social purposes probably dates back to the times of our forefathers. In the past the choice of such substances was limited to those most easily available locally e.g. kolanut, tobacco, alcohol etc. But in present tlay societies, youths and adults use and abuse various types of drugs especially pressure-producing, substances, or those which relieve anxieties due to the tensions inherent in modern life. In addition to coffee, tobacco and alcohol which are seen as daily essentials, amphetamines are taken to stay awake, barbiturates to go to sleep, Indian hemp, manclrax and others are taken as panacea for stress of daily life. The problems should therefore; be seen as a multifactoral one, a psychosocial or interpersonal and sometimes medical problem.

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