Drug Abuse in India: Explained, pointwise

Introduction

Recently, an investigation by Indian Express has revealed that a epidemic of drug addiction, mostly affecting young men, is sweeping across Kashmir. Drug abuse is a significant social and health issue in India. India’s diverse population, large youth demographic, and economic disparities contribute to the complex nature of drug abuse in the country. Changing cultural values, increasing economic stress and dwindling supportive bonds are leading to initiation into substance use.

What is the magnitude of drug abuse in India?

According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s report on the “National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India” (2019), the magnitude of substance use is:

• 16 crore people (14.6%) between the age of 10 and 75 years are current users of alcohol, and out of them, 5.2% are alcohol dependents.
• About 3.1 crore individuals (2.8%) are cannabis users, and 72 lakh (0.66%) people suffer from cannabis problems.
• Overall opioid users 2.06% and nearly 0.55% (60 lakh) require treatment services/health
• 18 crore (1.08%) are current users of sedatives (non-medical use).
• 7% of children and adolescents are inhalant users as compared to adults of 0.58%. Nearly 18 lakh children need help for inhalant use.
• It is estimated that about 8.5 lakh people are injecting drugs

The most worrying category of drugs in India are opioids, with the prevalence of opioid use in India being three times the global average (0.7% Vs 2.1%). Across all the drug categories, drugs in the opioid group (particularly heroin) are associated with the highest rates of disease, death and disability.

India’s location between the Golden Crescent (Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan) and the Golden Triangle (Thailand-Laos-Myanmar) provides easy access to opioids.

The World Drug Report, 2022, ranked India fourth in terms of the quantity of seized opium in 2020, with a total of 5.2 tons confiscated. Additionally, India was ranked third for the amount of seized morphine in the same year, totaling 0.7 tons.

What are the impacts of drug abuse?

Health Consequences: Drug abuse can lead to a range of physical health problems, including liver disease (from alcohol), infectious diseases (due to sharing needles in injection drug use), and overdose-related deaths. Also, substance abuse is closely linked to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. It can exacerbate existing mental health issues or lead to the development of new ones.

Social and Family Impacts: Drug abuse can lead to family breakdowns, increased conflicts, and emotional trauma within families. Children in households affected by drug abuse may experience neglect, abuse, and disrupted education, affecting their overall well-being. Individuals struggling with drug addiction often face social stigma, which can hinder their recovery and reintegration into society.

Economic Consequences: Families often face financial hardships due to the costs of supporting a family member’s addiction and the associated medical expenses. With most drug users being in the productive age group of 18–35 years, drug addiction can lead to absenteeism and reduced productivity in the workplace.

Crime: An increase in violence and crime is the direct impact of drug abuse. Addicts resort to crime to pay for their drugs. Drugs remove inhibition and impair judgement, encouraging one to commit offences. The incidence of eve-teasing, group clashes, assault, and impulsive murders increases with drug abuse.

What are the challenges associated with drug abuse in India?

Lack of Awareness and Education: There is limited awareness about the risks of drug abuse and its consequences among the general population, particularly in rural areas. Also, educational programs in schools and communities to inform people, especially young individuals, about the dangers of drug abuse are insufficient.

Stigma and Discrimination: Stigmatization of individuals with substance use disorders can discourage them from seeking help and support. Discrimination in healthcare facilities and society at large can hinder access to treatment and rehabilitation services.

Limited Access to Treatment and Rehabilitation: There is a huge shortage of drug addiction treatment facilities and qualified healthcare professionals.

Inadequate Research and Data: There is limited research on the prevalence and patterns of drug abuse in India, which hampers evidence-based policymaking and program development. There are also challenges in collecting accurate data due to the hidden and stigmatized nature of drug abuse.

Easy availability of drugs: India’s geographic location close to major opium producing regions leads to easy availability of these drugs. Also, according to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), there is a growing trend of using the ‘dark net’ and cryptocurrency for illicit drug trade.

New substances: The consumption of new psychoactive substances is increasing in India, and these substances often fall outside the scope of existing drug control regulations, posing challenges for law enforcement agencies to effectively monitor and regulate them.

What are the government initiatives to tackle drug abuse in India?

Laws: The broad legislative policy is contained in the three Central Acts, viz. Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): It is the nodal agency for drug law enforcement in India. It was established in 1986 to coordinate drug law enforcement efforts across the country.

National Narcotics Coordination Portal: The multiplicity of stakeholders in Drug Law Enforcement has necessitated coordination between various agencies on real time basis. The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a four-tier coordination mechanism for increasing coordination amongst the nationwide stakeholders from grass root level to apex level and effectively combating the menace of drugs. The Apex NCORD, Executive NCORD, State NCORD and District CORD are four pillars of mechanism.

Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) provides financial assistance to NGOs and voluntary organizations for the maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centers for Addicts (IRCAs). These centers offer comprehensive rehabilitation services to individuals with substance abuse disorders.

National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR): The MoSJE launched the NAPDDR for 2018-2025. The Plan aims at reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse through a multi-pronged strategy.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan/Drugs-Free India Campaign: It was flagged off on 15th August 2020 (Independence Day) for 272 districts across 32 State/Union Territories that have been identified as the most vulnerable in terms of usage of drugs in the country. It is operational with the involvement of more than 500 voluntary organizations across the country, which are assisted financially under the NAPDDR scheme.

International Treaties: India is signatory to various international treaties and conventions to combat the menace of drug abuse like UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971), UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988) and UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) 2000.

What should be done to tackle drug abuse in India?

Scientific evidence-based treatment needs to be made available at adequate scale for people with substance use disorders.

The government should take measures to strengthen the law enforcement agencies involved in drug control, including Customs, the Narcotics Control Bureau, and state police forces. This can include providing them with better training, technology, and resources.

Socio-economic factors like poverty, unemployment, and lack of education can contribute to drug abuse and trafficking. Therefore, the government can address these issues through poverty reduction measures, employment generation schemes, and increasing access to education.

Reducing demand for drugs can be done through community-based prevention programs, education, and awareness campaigns.

Conclusion:

Addressing drug abuse requires a holistic and multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, education, treatment, harm reduction, policy reforms, and increased community involvement. Collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, NGOs, and the community is essential to mitigate the impact of drug abuse in India.

Sources: Indian Express, MoSJE Report