There is glaring evidence, all over the world, of the damage that drug taking does to a person’s health, both physically and spiritually, and so too the adverse and detrimental effects it has on society. I therefore do not wish to emphasize and elaborate on its harms. However, I do request you to take heed and ponder over the following points :

1.) People, everywhere, are found to be spending thousands of Rands, Dollars, Pounds, etc. to ‘buy’ health. We have not found anyone spending money to buy ill health. Health foods, diets, exercise equipment and the likes form a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Not only do people exert themselves physically for good health but, as is seen, financially as well. Consider whether you are ‘purchasing’ health or ill health in expending money on drugs. Be it Cocaine, Crack, Heroin, Marijuana or Hashish, ill health is being purchased; sometimes at an astronomical cost. …The soundness and well-being of the good health you were favoured with, which has been lost in the damage of your liver, lungs and mind, by drugs; sometimes cannot be restored with all the medication and costly stays at rehabilitation centres. Moreover, the consequences of such expenditure is that you cannot think straight and you indulge in deeds and actions you would never, otherwise, think of doing in your right
frame of mind.

2.) Consider the many people who are spending fortunes at the doors of courts to buy back respect, which they deem they lost by way of defamation of character. Such a person will be found proud and happy when judgement is given in his favour: that indeed he, the respondent, had been defamed, his
good character had been tarnished and a bad image of him had thus been created. So he sues for defamation of character and is rewarded a sum of money – the value and worth of his name and
character!!! All this trouble, for what ? For his respect and dignity back. …If it was due to a newspaper article, then he requests a written apology as well. People spend hundreds of thousands on lavish weddings, birthdays, engagement functions, etc. Presidents spend millions of taxpayers monies on inauguration celebrations. All this, for what ? …Name, respect and honour. So whether justified or not, money is spent to ‘buy’ respect and honour. What does a drug addict do ? …He spends his money buying disrespect, distrust, shame, humiliation and disgrace. Who respects a drug addict ? Who would like to give his daughter in marriage to a drug addict ? How many marriages have ended and how many relationships and friendships have been severed due to the same ? As a result of drug addiction, you are not trusted at home. …Your father hides his cash and your mother hides her jewellery due to the fear that their son would stoop to any level to maintain his drug addiction. Neither are you trusted in the business you work at. …Your employer will be wary and perpetually on guard due to the same fear. If, on the other hand, you seek employment and your habit is known, then you get a straightforward : ‘No.’ as an answer. Is this a respectable life ? Is it worth bartering your permanent respect for a short term ‘high’? … All kinds of defamatory titles and labels are given. You are called a “Dagga Rooker”, “Druggie”, etc. But you cannot claim for any defamation because you defamed
yourself. …Think about this stigma that you will carry for the rest of your life.

3.) What of the trauma that young and innocent children have to experience and endure, having to contend with a father who has a very, very shameful habit ? What of the negative effect this evil addiction has on the education and upbringing of those children ? What if they follow suit – take to the same habit and lead the same miserable, unhappy life ? …These are the returns on money squandered financing a thriving drug market.

4.) Think again, if it is a ‘friend’ that has introduced you to taking drugs. …Who is a friend ?
A friend is one who is concerned about his friend’s goodness, welfare and health. A friend wishes to see his friend progress in life, be happy, and enjoy respect and success in both worlds. A true and sincere friend is a helper, supporter and protector of one’s spiritual well-being as well, encouraging that which is good and discouraging that which is evil and destructive. An enemy, on the other hand, desires the destruction of a person’s life, health, wealth and respect. So can the ‘friend’ who encourages you or offers you drugs be called a friend ? Nay, he is your enemy. …You now have Shaytaan, nafs, this
friend and those who supply the drugs as your enemies. Allah Ta’ala mentions the reality and outcome of such ‘friendship’ in the Qur`aan Sharief : ‘FRIENDS ON THAT DAY WILL BE FOES , ONE TO ANOTHER,
- EXCEPT THE RIGHTEOUS.’ [SURAH46 ZUKHRUF 43 : 67]
On the Day of Qiyaamah, many a person will be extremely remorseful for having befriended a person who encouraged him to naught but evil and sin. …The most common cause of addiction is peer pressure. Almost every addict reveals being introduced to drug taking (so too alcohol and smoking) through ‘friends’.
Rasulullah e has said : “A person is on the Deen (way of life) of his friend so everyone of you should look at who he befriends.”

· When you intend to buy the next drug, stop before taking it.

· Look at the drug carefully.

· THINK . CONTEMPLATE. PONDER. REFLECT : If this goes into my system, then? …Then the consequences that follow will be seriously harmful and damaging to my health; that same health which is a priceless gift, blessing and bounty of Allah Ta’ala and for which I will be accountable on the Day of
Judgement. What will be my reply when Allah Ta’ala will say : We granted you sound and healthy limbs … hands, feet, eyes, ears, nose, etc. What have you done to express your gratitude for all these gifts ? And what will be my reply when questioned as to how I expended the wealth given to me by
Allah Ta’ala ? Added to this, this drug will ruin my respect and dignity in society. I will be denounced and condemned by society because I am another problem, added to the list of problems already existing.

· Therefore, don’t damage your health and waste your wealthby taking drugs. If you are tempted into purchasing and have purchased one, then throw it into the toilet and flush it away… before it flushes more of your health, wealth and respect away.

 

· And tell that ‘friend’ who is encouraging you to do drugs: “If you are my friend, then you would not lend a hand and help in the destruction of my body and soul. Your ‘sincere’ concern is in increasing my dependency on something most ruinous to my health and respect, and your ‘moral support’ is in imbibing more poison into my system. The friendship you thus express and project is in reality one of enmity. Since such friendship is no friendship…Farewell.” …Insha-Allah (Allah willing), you will be blessed with true, sincere and well-wishing friends.