Drug abuse is a serious problem, which is capable of not only causing death to the one using it, but create a havoc in the lives of those who are associated with that person too. There have been plenty cases, whether it is Matthew Perry or the recent death of Liam Payne, which is in trial currently.

It is also a problem in the US and is emerging as one of the health concerns that could destroy families and society. One of the most alarming aspects of drug abuse is also its impact on public safety as well as increased crime rates. Drugs also take a heavy toll on healthcare systems as emergency departments frequently encounter cases of drug overdoses, which puts the burden on medical professional who have the strain the limited resources available.

There are also long-term health impact due to drug abuse, which includes organ damage, infectious disease, mental health disorders and rise in healthcare cost.

Are there any specific drugs which are most abused in US?

Yes. There are commonly used drugs, which also includes prescribed painkillers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl, as well as illicit substances like heroin. As per recent data, opioid abuse has also reached alarming levels which has affected millions of Americans.

Here are the most abused drugs in the US:

Stimulants

They are used to increase alertness, attention, and energy. They also have a high potential for abuse due to the euphoric and performance enhancing effects. Cocaine and methamphetamine are notable stimulants frequently abused in the US. As per 2019 data, 10.3 million people reported to misuse stimulants in the previous year.

Depressants

These substances are used to slow down brain activity and induce relaxation. Benzodiazepines is one of the commonly prescribed medicine. Around 4.8 million individuals in the US have misused this drug.

Other misused drugs and its affects on the health:

Opioids:

It could lead to slow breathing and heart rate. It can also increase the risk of overdose and respiratory failure, constipation and a weakened immune system.

Stimulants:

It can elevate heart rate and blood pressure. It could also increase body temperate and lead to an irregular heartbeat. Furthermore, one can experience loss of appetite and weight loss.

Cannabis:

This can alter perception and coordination. People who consume it often have red eyes and a dry mouth. This can increase appetite, sometimes the "munchies" can reach to a point of no return and it could impair memory and cognitive function.

Benzodiazepines:

It could lead to sedation and drowsiness and an impaired coordination and balance. There also could be memory problems and confusion, along with respiratory depression, when combined with other depressant substance.

Alcohol:

This could lead to slurred speech, impaired condition, poor judgment and decision-making, liver damage and cirrhosis and an increased risk of accidents and injuries, which is the 3rd most leading cause of death in the US.

Additional Negative Impact: Social and psychological

Substance abuse impairs job performance and reliability, leading to frequent absenteeism, reduced productivity, and even job loss. This further leads to financial instability, strained relationships, and a cycle of dependency.

Most people treat heartburn the way they treat a bad day: they reach for an antacid and move on. But for some patients, that familiar burning sensation is not just a digestive nuisance. It can be an early sign of something far more serious. A type of cancer called gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma develops quietly at the point where the food pipe meets the stomach, and it is frequently mistaken for routine acidity—until it is not.

Dr Ankit Jain, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, in an interaction with Health and Me, spoke about the difference between cancer and heartburn symptoms.

What Is the Gastroesophageal Junction, and Why Does It Matter?

The gastroesophageal junction is simply the meeting point between the oesophagus and the stomach. When stomach acid repeatedly irritates this area over months or years, the lining can begin to change at a cellular level. This change, known as Barrett’s oesophagus, is a precancerous condition that often develops silently in people with chronic acid reflux. If left undetected, it can progress to GEJ adenocarcinoma. The tricky part is that this cancer does not behave exactly like oesophageal cancer or stomach cancer. It sits between the two, and that makes both diagnosis and treatment more nuanced.

Signs That Go Beyond Ordinary Heartburn

Heartburn is common across India, yet certain symptoms should not be brushed aside as routine acidity. If any of the following are present, a doctor’s visit should not be delayed:

1. Difficulty swallowing that starts with solid foods and gradually worsens
2. Unintended weight loss with no clear explanation
3. Chest or upper abdominal pain that does not improve with antacids
4. Unusual fatigue or anaemia, especially without another known cause
5. Blood in vomit or black, tarry stools

These are not panic triggers; they are signals worth investigating promptly.

The Case for Timely Screening

For patients over 40 with long-standing reflux, obesity, a smoking history, or a family history of upper digestive cancers, a baseline endoscopy is a reasonable and potentially life-saving step. GEJ adenocarcinoma caught early is far more treatable than the same cancer found at an advanced stage. The window for early detection exists, but it requires action before symptoms become severe. Persistent reflux deserves more than a repeat prescription. Sometimes, it deserves a closer look.

India is taking significant steps to enhance its vaccination strategy, with a special focus on adults, particularly those aged 55 and above, said Dr. N K Arora, Member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI), as part of the World Immunization Week.

NTAGI is the highest advisory body on immunization in the country, which consists of independent experts who provide recommendations on vaccines after reviewing data on disease burden, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of vaccines.

In an exclusive interaction with HealthandMe, Dr. Arora shared that the country “is in the process of establishing priority pathogens and vaccines aimed at the adult population”.

This initiative will target those above the age of 55 or 60 to tackle infections that are particularly serious in older individuals, especially those living with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

“The process has started. This year, we will be moving in that direction,” said Dr. Arora.

HPV Vaccination: A Milestone in Preventing Cervical Cancer

The expert lauded the introduction of the HPV vaccine for young girls. Dr. Arora highlighted the critical importance of this initiative, given India’s status as the country with the highest number of cervical cancer cases globally.

"Cervical cancer is preventable by the HPV vaccine, and we are now in the fortunate position of having a domestically manufactured vaccine," he explained.

The first round of vaccinations has already commenced, and Dr. Arora urged the media and public to dispel any misinformation surrounding the vaccine to ensure its success.

An Indigenous Dengue Vaccine

Further, the vaccine expert highlighted the potential introduction of an indigenous dengue vaccine, currently undergoing trials.

“The trials will take at least two and a half years, which means by the end of 28, we will have the results,” Dr. Arora said.

He emphasized the severity of dengue when it turns from a mild illness into a severe one, particularly among young adults.

The dengue vaccine, being developed indigenously, is expected to play a crucial role in protecting the 10-20 age group, who are most susceptible to severe dengue cases.

“We are waiting for the results of the trials, and once the vaccine is recommended by the NTAGI, the system will be ready to adopt it,” said Dr. Arora.

Also read: World Immunization Week: Vaccines Are Like Insurance, They’re Safe—Take Them, Says Dr NK Arora | Exclusive

India In The Forefront of Vaccine R&D

Dr. Arora stated that India, known as the pharmacy of the world, is playing a significant role in the global vaccine landscape.

“One feels very proud to be an Indian as every vaccine administered in India is made in India,” he said, noting that India also "provides two-thirds of the global vaccine supply".

This achievement positions India as a global leader in vaccine research and development, contributing substantially to global health initiatives.

"These initiatives are vital for the future of public health in India," Dr. Arora said.

Amid rising cases of measles in neighboring countries, India is concerned, and steps are being taken to ward off any potential outbreaks in the nation, said Dr NK Arora, Chair of the National Verification Committee (NVC) for Measles-Rubella Elimination in India.

In an exclusive conversation with HealthandMe, the expert emphasized the growing concerns over the spread of measles, particularly following outbreaks in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

He noted that in the case of polio, India is free, and fortunately, neighbors like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and even Myanmar are all polio-free.

“But measles is something which we are worried about,” Dr Arora said.

"We are aware of outbreaks in Myanmar, particularly among the Rohingya population, and the subsequent spread to Bangladesh, where there has been a large-scale outbreak with numerous fatalities," he added.

Measles: Strengthening India's Porous Border

As per official data, Bangladesh has recorded 227 child deaths since March in one of its worst outbreaks of measles in decades, with the number of suspected cases reaching nearly 35,000, AFP reported.

Dr Arora pointed out that the porous borders India shares with Bangladesh make the risk of cross-border transmission higher, particularly given the large movement of people between the two countries.

To counter this, the expert mentioned that India has strengthened surveillance in states bordering Bangladesh, like Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya, but also admitted that more efforts are needed.

Meghalaya’s state health department have called for stepping up surveillance in East Khasi Hills District. Similarly, Health officials in Tripura are also assessing the prevailing measles and rubella situation, with a focus on vaccination coverage and containment measures. The health officials have stressed to strengthen surveillance, early detection, reporting, and response mechanisms.

Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?

Notably, Nepal has also reported at least four outbreaks of the deadly viral disease —one in Sarlahi and three in Baglung—since the start of 2026.

"If even one case of measles comes in, it can spread quickly due to the virus's high reproductive or transmission dynamics. A single infected child can spread the virus to up to 12 to 18 others very quickly, which is extremely worrisome," he explained.

Dr. Arora stressed the importance of identifying suspected measles cases early, which he defined as any child with fever and rash.

"While these symptoms could indicate other diseases too, it's crucial to have a sensitive definition to quickly detect measles cases.

Once a suspect with fever and rash is identified, samples are promptly sent to the lab for confirmation, and immediate alerts are issued," he told HealthandMe.

Measles: Sporadic Outbreaks In India

Dr. Arora also addressed the ongoing efforts to eliminate measles and rubella in India, which have been bolstered by targeted interventions and public awareness campaigns.

Since the beginning of the year, India is seeing sporadic outbreaks of measles. Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior reported three outbreaks, and Morena six.

Over January and February 2026, 41 children were diagnosed with measles in Tikari village in Madhya Pradesh.

However, swift action by health authorities with proactive frontline engagement and data-driven rapid response prevented an escalation into large measles outbreaks.

"Our goal is to prevent any deaths from measles, which in today's time, should be entirely avoidable," said the Chair of the NVC.

Referring to increasing child deaths due to the highly infectious disease in Bangladesh, he said: "If a child dies from measles, it indicates a significant gap in the quality of care provided."

Further, Dr. Arora explained that measles complications such as severe pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis are of particular concern, as these can be exacerbated by weakened immunity following other illnesses, such as malaria. Therefore, he emphasized the need to improve the quality of care and ensure timely and effective treatment for affected children.

Read more: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Denies Link To Measles Outbreak At Senate Hearing

What is Measles?

Measles is one of the world's most contagious diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and is spread through coughs and sneezes.

The vaccine-preventable disease can affect people of any age but is most common among children, and can cause complications that include brain swelling and severe respiratory problems.

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• high fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• red eyes,
• rashes across the body.