Is using drugs to get happiness sin?

[Shri Anil asked: Nowadays, there is an increase in drug use among youth. They say that by using drugs, they can forget all their anxieties and troubles and get in an ecstatic mood. This seems to be a very easy method to experience ecstasy without making any effort like meditation or concentration to achieve that state. They claim that by doing so, they are not disturbing others in any way and hence, it is not sin, in their view. After all, enjoyment is the aim of life. They say that even some sādhus use drugs. Swāmi, could You kindly respond to this argument?]

Swāmi replied: Drugs spoil health and reduce a person’s longevity. By using drugs, one’s precious life is lost. This precious life should be used properly to put forth spiritual effort and get the grace of God. This applies to all human beings and hence, even to saints. Deliberately spoiling one’s health in this manner is also a sin because a part of one’s life is wasted and cannot be used for the spiritual effort.

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| Shri Datta Swami | Is using drugs to get happiness sin? |