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Was looking at various religions regarding their view of drugs (alcohol, etc). With our drug problems (Cape Flats, etc) being mentioned constantly in the news I am wondering if we could appeal to various religious groups to put pressure on the authorities and society. Drugs are costing us in the economic and social sense. I think we would all be richer without drug abuse. Various religious opinions are mentioned at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_drugs For instance there are numerous verses in the Qur'an and hadith that ban intoxicants (including alcohol). The prophet Muhammad said:[22] Every intoxicant is like alcohol, and every (type of) alcohol is prohibited. (Muslim) The second reason for banning drugs is that they are believed to have a harmful effect on the body. The Qur'an says, "And make not your own hands contribute to your destruction." Surah, Al-Baqara, 2: 195.

 http://irfi.org/articles/articles_201_250/drugs_muslims_should_avoid.htm says: The following is a list of mind active drugs that Muslims should avoid.

CAFFEINE: Found in coffee, tea, and Cola drinks-also in Chocolate-this drug stimulates wakefulness and awareness. Heavy use can cause nervousness and insomnia (sleeplessness). Long term heavy use may contribute to heart attack.

ALCOHOL: Ethyl alcohol is the active ingredient in wine, beer, and liquor. In moderate doses, it produces relaxation, euphoria (feeling of well being). Heavy use can damage the brain, heart, and liver. Alcoholism is a serious worldwide social problem.

NICOTINE: Found in tobacco, nicotine is a relaxant, and one of the world's most pervasive addictive drugs. Studies have linked smoking to cancer, lung damage (cancer, chronic bronchitis and emphysema) and heart disease and impotence in males.

MARIJUANA/HASHISH: Made from the Cannabis sativa plant, marijuana alters perception (ability to recognize objects or feelings), produces euphoria (feeling of well being), confuses sense of time.

NARCOTICS: Codeine, morphine, opium, heroin, methadone, Demerol, and others. Narcotics are painkillers and cause a sense of euphoria and drastic alteration of perception. All are extremely addictive. Heavy misuse can lead to death.

BARBITURATES: Barbiturates are pharmaceuticals, which go under various trade names. Prescribed by doctors for their sedative effects, these pills produce sleepiness, relaxation, etc. They are addictive and cause twice as many deaths from over-doses every year as heroin. Mixing them with alcohol is a dangerous practice.



MINOR TRANQUILLIZERS: Drugs like Valium and Librium relieve anxiety and muscle tension. They are the world's most prescribed drugs, operating on the body much the same as barbiturates......

 In looking for material from different faiths for this page "RELIGION AGAINST DRUGS" I found that there is a fatwa against smoking - just Google search "ISLAM SMOKING" or see http://islam.about.com/od/health/a/smoking_fatwa.htm

 http://www.aidsinfonet.org/fact_sheets/view/154 reports that: "Injection drug and alcohol use are a major factor in the spread of HIV infection. Outside of Africa, injection drug use now accounts for 1 in 3 new HIV infections. Shared equipment for using drugs can carry HIV and hepatitis viruses, and drug and alcohol use is linked with unsafe sexual activity."
information re HIV can be found at http://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-aids/facts-statistics-infographic Interesting site.

 In South Africa there is a huge drug and drinking problem. What puzzles me is that police set up roadblocks to catch drunk drivers, but if they just waited outside pubs they would catch hundreds more. Should adults drink and smoke and then tell children not to? MY QUESTIONS: 1) IF ALL DRINK AND CIGARETTES WERE BANNED WOULD WE NOT BE BETTER OFF? 2) ARE AUTHORITIES (police magistrates, etc) turning a blind eye to drinking and then having people prosecuted for drunk driving, etc?

http://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/are-anti-depressants-drugs-allowed-in-islam/ has this to say:

In another hadith it is stated that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has prohibited us from impure and filthy medicines. (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh P388 V.2)

However, later day jurists, keeping in mind the modern day impure medicines and the weakness of people against it have given permission in the usage of haraam medicine on the condition that another lawful and pure medicine is not effective or is not available. (Maariful Quran P.437 V.1)

The second possible situation is to use it in necessity. A person whose life is in danger can use such medicines, which are forbidden on him to save his life on the following conditions:  

1. There is extreme necessity that ones life is in danger.
2. Another lawful medicine does not work, or is not available.
3. It should be certain that the disease would be cured through the medicine.
4. A person should not enjoy the medicine.
5. Only the amount, which is necessary, should be used. (Maariful Quran- Ibid)