DRUG ABUSE

India has witnessed a five time increase in drug hauls over the three years, from 2011 to 2013, according to data released by Parliament. The latest available data, from 2004, estimates that 10.7 million Indians are drug users according to a National Survey Report by UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the Indian Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Mizoram, Punjab and Manipur are among the states where people are most vulnerable to drug abuse. Cannabis, heroin, and Indian-produced pharmaceutical drugs are the most frequently abused drugs in India. Cannabis products, often called charas, bhang or ganja are abused throughout the country because it has attained some amount of religious sanctity because of its association with some hindu deities.

Drug addiction can cause many health problems, some drugs can even change a person’s body and brain in ways that last long after the person has stopped taking drugs, maybe even permanently. Behavioural problems like paranoia, hallucinations, impulsiveness, loss of self-control. Other health problems like hormonal effects, cancer, HIV, etc.

But why is our youth attracted towards drugs? Many young teens get the wrong perception that using drugs will help them escape from their problems others reasons include to feel grown up, to relax, to take risk, rebel, and because they have the misconception that doing drugs is cool. Most people that use these illegal drugs are more likely of being involved in serious crimes like rape, murder and suicide.

For example the present situation in Punjab over drug abuse is in headlines. India’s one of the most prosperous state is in a serious drug addiction. It is estimated that four out of ten men are addicted to some or other drug and that up to 50% of them are farmers. Children as young as 12 year old are seen to be involved in the drug trade. Drugs are easily sold and available. The fact that there is steady supply of drugs from from across the border is one reason, other like unemployment and frustrated economic expectations. Punjab’s war on drugs has, in effect, turned into a war on its addicts.

The process of Industrialization, Urbanization, and migration have led to loosening of the traditional methods of social control rendering an individual vulnerable to the stresses and strains of modern life. The fast changing social milieu, among other factors is mainly contributing to the proliferation of drug abuse.

In conclusion, although the problems of drugs may seem impossible to eliminate, there are concrete steps that can be taken to weaken the hold of drugs in society. Education is the first way , people need to be aware of the effects so that they can avoid this problem. A second approach is to increase police manpower and create effective laws to stop dealers. The danger from drugs is too great to ignore for us and our children.