KaRika Jones
January 27, 2010
11:55 PM
For this weeks health article its coming from a remote town in Afghanistan. A mother, named Aziza, feeds her four year old son, Omaidullah, a dark substance that looks like chocolate every waking chance that she has. This substance is opium and its a narcotic tar that came from the liquids of a poppy plant. The reason why Aziza gives her son this substance is because they have no food or medicine. It also keeps him calm which is important because she is a carpet weaver and can only concentrate when her children is fed with this substance. Opium isn't anything new, but is quite popular in this city because of its multiple usage. This drug has been used in Aziza's family for over three generations and everyone, including Omaidullah is addicted.
The sad part about this article is that the parents had no idea the health danger risk they are putting on themselves and their families. Opium untreated can cause euphoria and death with the side affects of drowsiness and uneven breathing. I feel that this issue needs to be treated soon because lifetime addictions definitely lead to death. It is stated in the article that one million Afgans would be affected, but its a generational issue. I'm sure the death rates are increasing more than the birth rates because the chances of this being treated is slim to none, since their closest medical center is almost five hours away. Mothers are taking these drugs even when their pregnant, so the children are already addicted as soon as their out the womb. Meaning the child's life span is cut short because of the opium. There are outreach programs that are trying to get as many people to get into rehabilitation centers so the addictions can seize. This is a great start because now there are more people getting the awareness of this substance and the effects it has on people health.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/01/20/afghan.opium.kids/index.html?npt=NP1
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/opium
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