Narcotics refer to substances for which a craving(dependece)is induced with abrupt discontination resulting in withdrawl followed by unbearable physiological and psychological desturbances(abstinence syndrome). Associated with the development of physical dependence is the building of tolerance, i.e. a decreased response to the effects of the drugs, which necessitates ever larger doses to achieve the same effect. The abuse of narcotic drugs results in physical and psychological dependence and adverse effects such as brain, liver, and heart damage and/or malfunction. Drug abuse may cause pregnant women to give birth to children with birth defects. Youngsters may suffer impaired personality development caused by emotional disorders as well as damaged brain cells, bone marrow tissue, and kidney functions. Drug abuse also sererely affects the ability to engage in regular tasks, causing difficulty in thinking and concentrating, and poor judgement which may lead to reckless or life-threatening acts.

Drug abuse does not stop posing as a health hazard for individual drug abusers. It also wreaks havoc on societies, as a whole, as addicts are prone to commit robbery, murder, and other types of criminal activities. In addition to the costs of drug-related crimes, heavy costs are inflicted on the nation by the lost labor force and rapidly rising social welfare programs geared toward coping with drug abuse problems. The abuse of illicit drugs has reached epidemic proportions, primarily aflicting the toung, crossing all social, economic, and national boundaries. With the age of first drug use gradually falling, drug abuse has emerged as a primary cause of rising juvenile crime.