A little insight into the truth behind Substance Abuse in India

In this article we will try to discuss a topic that has been under discussion for long now. Substance abuse has different meanings to it. A lot depends on an individual’s interpretation of “abuse”. Most of the writers who have ever written about substance abuse usually end up mixing their own convictions regarding the topic into their article. The result of this is a confusion and misinterpretation in the minds of young people beginning to experiment with alcohol or drugs reject any and all findings that show any of these substances in a negative light.

The substances under question, as of now, are alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, inhalants, steroids, hallucinogens, stimulants, barbiturates, cocaine, and heroine. The use and abuse of these substances has been going on for long; only recently has it drawn concern across the globe. Earlier it was not such a mental health issue as it has become now. Many of these substances usually with liberal amounts of opium were easily obtainable. But due to legal issues central to the idea of maintaining better health standards, the availability of such substances have become very rare.

We will begin by giving a few definitions of a few terms. “Substance use refers to the infrequent and limited intake of alcohol or drugs” (Thomas P. Gullotta, 2000). “Substance Abuse refers to the frequent and excessive use of alcohol or drugs such that there is an impairment in the physical, mental, or social functioning of the individual” (Thomas P. Gullotta, 2000).

According to the survey conducted jointly released in June 2004 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and UNODC. Under this, according to the National Household Survey of Drug and Alcohol Abuse (NHS), alcohol, cannabis and opiates were found to be the three most common drugs of use. In the Drug Abuse Monitoring System (DAMS), it was seen that the four most commonly abused substances were alcohol, cannabis, heroin, and opium. As part of the third component, Rapid Assessment Survey of Drug Abuse (RAS), Opiates (heroin, buprenorphine and propoxyphene) and cannabis were the major drugs abused. Nearly half had injected drugs at some time in their life (43%). Through the fourth component of this study, Focused Thematic Studies, it was found that drug abuse does exist among women in India and women also bear significant burden due to drug abuse by their family members.

In this NHS, 51.6% of the subjects came from a rural background and the remaining 48.4% were from urban India. Drug use, once initiated, appears to continue in a majority of cases. Overall, about 5% of total treatment seekers in various states were below 20 years of age. Out of these youngsters who reported for treatment were often users of propoxyphene, heroin and cannabis. Based on the findings from this survey, most commonly given justifications for drug use were curiosity, experimentation, being in the company of other drug users and to experience the effects they got. So, it can be said that irrespective of which substance was abused by these individuals, the reasons given were most often similar. Out of the total users of drugs using it currently, only a few said they would think over getting treatment. Most often it is believed by these who are willing to seek treatment that they will not approach for treatment because of lack of infrastructure, lack of facilities and indifferent attitude of staff and cost of treatment.

 The data reveals information that significant numbers of current users could use help in order to prevent them from progressing towards regular or dependent use. In India, at the time of this study there are around 20% of current users who need treatment to address their issue urgently.

India is a signatory to all three UN drug control conventions, namely, the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 (as amended by the 1972 Protocol), the Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 and the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988. Thus, we see the country taking steps towards a better condition. But we must not forget that there is long way to go before the goal is achieved.

                                                                                                                                -Stuti Gupta & Aaditri Jha

References:

(n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2013, from http://www.unodc.org/pdf/india/publications/south_Asia_Regional_Profile_Sept_2005/10_india.pdf

Thomas P. Gullotta, G. R. (2000). The Adolescent Experience (4th Edition ed.). San Diego: Academic Press.