Myths, Misconception and Misinformation About Drugs and Drug Abuse: A Challenge to The Fight

By Maawiya Mohammed

Drug abuse is a global issue that transcends national borders, presenting significant challenges to effective intervention efforts. The campaigns aimed at combating this vice are complex and encounter various obstacles, one of the most significant being the prevalence of myths, misconceptions, and misinformation surrounding drugs and drug abuse. This challenge has become a persistent barrier, complicating prevention, management, and treatment efforts related to drug abuse.

One prevalent example of these misconceptions is the false belief in the relative safety of certain drugs compared to others. For instance, the e-cigarette industry has propagated the misconception that their products are safer than conventional tobacco cigarettes, despite evidence suggesting comparable toxin levels, if not higher, in e-cigarettes. Additionally, there is a common misconception that consuming certain drugs, such as marijuana, enhances cognitive functions.

These misconceptions pose formidable challenges to initiatives aimed at reducing drug demand and supply suppression.

Firstly, these misconceptions will likely lead to the normalization of drug use and abuse. The myths can provide an excuse and a way out for individuals looking to justify their use or abuse of drugs and when drugs are portrayed as harmless, trendy, and socially acceptable, they become ingrained as a cultural norm, leading to increased rates of substance abuse. Take for example the 1900s. It seemed like everyone at that time was smoking cigarettes just because of the established perception that doing so was fashionable.

Secondly, these myths act as barriers to effective treatment for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Common beliefs that drugs like bhang are not addictive or that individuals using them have control over their drug use are what can lead affected individuals to not seek treatment. Sentiments like these are what make people in denial of their drug addiction problem and hence may not accept that they need help since they think they do not have a problem in the first place.

Moreover, proliferation of drug use and abuse is bound to occur if these myths are taken as factual and continue to spread. By believing that doing drugs is cool and that some drugs are safe, individuals will most likely experiment on these drugs and which will lead to increased drug demand and eventually the supply. These beliefs can also result in a rise of drug initiation cases and exacerbate the number of individuals suffering from substance use disorders (addiction).

Furthermore, misconceptions about drugs and drug abuse can have serious consequences, including injuries and health complications. Beliefs that drug use enhances performance or is necessary for certain tasks can lead to hazardous incidents, particularly in environments requiring focus or physical coordination. Additionally, the normalization of drug use as a daily routine can increase the risk of accidents, especially when individuals drive under the influence.

In conclusion, the prevalence of myths, misconceptions, and misinformation surrounding drugs and drug abuse presents significant challenges to the efforts aimed at combating substance abuse, both in Kenya and globally. We can make sure our efforts at ending drug abuse are not futile by prioritizing education and evidence-based messaging to dispel these myths and promote accurate information about drugs and drug abuse. By challenging misconceptions and fostering informed public discourse, communities can work towards developing more effective strategies for prevention, treatment, and harm reduction, ultimately leading to healthier and safer societies.