DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION IN INDIA
Drugs have been used for medical purposes since time immemorial. But these days drugs and narcotics are being used freely by the people all over the world. The abuse of narcotics has caused wide spread concern to all the nations of the world.
The vulnerability of modern society plays a catalytic role in promoting the consumption and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic drugs.
Today every country in the world is no longer secure from the menace drug abuse. Even in the most powerful country America is in its grip, India is not far behind.
Different types of drugs: opium, cocaine, charas, sedatives, yaba, methamphetamine, ecstasy, crack, etc.
Along with the above mentioned drug types Indian produced pharmaceuticals, heroin, and alcohol are also amongst the most abused drugs.
Drug abuse and addiction is on the rise throughout India. India has at least seventy million drug addicts. In India, the cultural values are slowly changing, the poorer class is suffering with economic hardship while at the same time there is a massive rise in the upper class, all of this combined with the dwindling support of family (due to increase work and western life) is leading to drug abuse and addiction.
According to the survey by IBN recently, an estimated 7.5 crore Indians are drug addicts and the number is going up significantly, spreading to semi-urban and backward areas, according to official figures. As per the National Survey on Extent, Pattern and Trends of Drug abuse in India conducted by the Centre in collaboration with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the current prevalence rates within the age group of 12-18 years was Alcohol (21.4 per cent), Cannabis (three), Opiates (0.7) and any illicit drug (3.6 per cent).
The survey indicated a high concentration of drug addiction in certain social segments and high-risk groups, such as, commercial sex workers, transportation workers and street children. The survey indicated a high concentration of drug addiction in certain social segments and high-risk groups, such as, commercial sex workers, transportation workers and street children.
It is estimated that there are about 6.25 crore alcoholics, 90 lakh Cannabis and 2.5 lakhs opiates and nearly 10 lakh illicit drug users in the country. The drug abuse prevalence is uneven in the country. A high level of alcohol abuse was reported from North East, high cannabis use from North East and Eastern regions and high opiate use in North East, North and Western region.
While Buprenophine, propoxyphene and heroin were commonly injected drugs, sharing of needles among IDUs is common and on an average with three partners per person, it said. Nevertheless, students at the secondary/higher secondary level are vulnerable to slipping into drug abusing behavious due to distress factors and peer influence.
“Drug and alcohol abuse is becoming an area of concern as this is increasing while traditional moorings, social taboos, emphasis on self-restraint and pervasive control and discipline of the joint family and community are eroding”, senior officials of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said.
To tackle the menace, the Ministry has adopted a two-pronged strategy – supply and demand reduction. While supply reduction is under the purview of the Enforcement Agencies the demand reduction strategy is under the purview of the Ministry, sources said, drug abuse is not only a problem arising out of the availability and supply side of such intoxicating drinks and drugs but has a great deal to do with the social conditions which create the demand for or the need for consumption of such substances.
Internet Sources:
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/75-crore-drug-addicts-in-india-survey/9329-3.html
http://www.preservearticles.com/201105116461/drug-addiction-essay.html
http://www.thecabinchiangmai.com/archive/drug_abuse_and_addiction_in_india
SCIT MBA(ITBM)2013-2015
