Drug Abuse, especially narcotics, is referred to as drug abuse.

The use of illicit drugs or excessive

doses of prescription or over-the-counter medications for purposes other than those for which
they were prescribed. India is surrounded by the world’s two major opium-growing areas, the
Golden Triangle on one side and the Golden Crescent on the other. Learn more about Drug Abuse
in India in this article. This will be extremely beneficial in the upcoming UPSC IAS Exam.

Recent News
o Mumbai had the most instances registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances (NDPS) Act among India’s 19 metropolitan cities in 2020, according to
government data, while Uttar Pradesh topped the state ranking.
o With the exception of Delhi, where only 60% of cases were for personal use or
consumption, the bulk of cases (more than 85%) in the top five cities was for personal use
or consumption.
o According to the study, 19 metropolitan cities were reported under the NDPS Act in 2020,
with Mumbai accounting for almost 30% of them.
o The MoSJE (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) conducted a survey to establish
the prevalence of drug use in India. Alcohol is used by 14.6% of the population, according
to 2019 research. Men have a greater rate than women. According to a study, 2.8% of the
population uses cannabis.

What is Drug Abuse?

o Drug Abuse is an addiction brought on by recurrent use of addictive drugs. Alcohol,
marijuana, hallucinogens, and opioids are examples of drugs. Drug addiction is a sickness
that drives people to consume drugs compulsively in spite of the negative effects.
o Drug misuse or substance abuse refers to the usage of certain chemicals to induce
pleasurable effects on the brain.
o Aside from the long-term harm that drug use causes the body, needle users are at risk of
contracting HIV and hepatitis B and C.

Drugs and Substance Abuse in India

o The problem of drug addiction among India’s young has grown dramatically.
o In 2015, the Punjab state government commissioned a drug abuse survey, which revealed
that the state had 230,000 drug users.
o According to 2019, National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India,
opioids such as opium, heroin, and prescription opioids are consumed by around 2.1% of
the country’s population.
 o According to a 2019 national study, around 2.8% of Indians aged 10-75 consumed
cannabis in the form of bhang, ganja, or charas.

Causes of Drug Abuse

Several biological and behavioural factors influence an individual’s decision to begin using drugs.
Certain common factors have been related to the cause of drug abuse. These are their names:
Causes of Drug Description
Abuse
Depression and o Female adolescent depression is not rare. Moreover, one-third
Mental Illness of females in high school report feeling melancholy or hopeless
on a regular basis.
o Substance abuse and mental illnesses such as depression often
coexist.
o Depressed and suicidal young women typically self-medicate
with drugs and alcohol, increasing their chances of becoming
addicted.

The gap in Parent- o Talking with their daughter is one of the most crucial things a
Child Communication parent can do to keep her from doing drugs.
o If you feel your teenager is going to start using drugs, talk to her
about the consequences of drug use and her choices. Teach her
how to say no. Inform her about the risks of substance abuse.

Elements of Biology o Family history, genetic predisposition

o Existing psychological or personality problems, as well as a
physiological condition
o The reinforcing effects of drugs
o Desire and withdrawal symptoms
o Biochemical factors

Aspects of o Curiosity.
Psychology o As an exercise.
o Disobedience in public.
o The beginnings.
o Control problems.
o Desires feeling.
o Problems with self-esteem
o Stress management that is ineffective.
o Childhood loss or trauma

Social aspects o Peer influence

o Role-Modeling
o Alcohol and narcotics are easily accessible.
o Conflicts
o Religious considerations.
o There is a lack of social or familial support.
o Social behaviour.
o Rapid urbanisation is occurring.

Harmful Effects of Drug Abuse

Harmful Effects of Description
Drug Abuse
Increased o Injection drug use is a major source of hepatitis C,49 and can
infectious disease cause endocarditis and cellulitis. Injection drug use does not
transmission only contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.
o Misused substances can cause intoxication, which affects
judgement and increases the possibility of risky sexual
behaviours such as condom-less intercourse.

Deterioration of o Many drugs has direct physical and psychological side effects
physical health such as anxiety, melancholy, psychosis, strange physiological
sensations, seizures, suicidal behaviour, and even sudden
death.
o Aside from this, there are also indirect health hazards
associated with drug abuse, such as the risk of obtaining HIV
and Hepatitis B and C through the use of dirty syringes while
using intravenous drugs.
o Being engaged in road accidents and other mishaps. Other
medical problems may arise as a result of a compromised
immune system and poor health.

The psychological o Long-term drug use can have a negative impact on a person’s
effects of drug memory, behaviour, learning, consciousness, and attention.
abuse o Psychoactive medicines such as alcohol, cannabis, stimulants,
and opioids can affect brain function and structure over time.
o The precise mental or cognitive consequences of drug use
might vary depending on the substance and the duration of
use.

Social Implications o Drug abuse has a significant negative impact on a person’s

social and familial lives, as follows:

o Drug abuse has a bad impact on behaviour, which leads to job

loss, family troubles, divorce, child neglect, and other criminal
offences.
o Drug addicts usually associate with antisocial elements of
society, which leads to criminal behaviour and other antisocial
behaviour.

Increased chance of o Driving a car after taking illicit drugs or abusing prescribed
car accidents medications can be as risky as driving after ingesting alcohol.
o Driving under the influence of drugs endangers the driver,
passengers, and others on the road.

Types of Substance Abuse

o Substance abuse is simply defined as the harmful use of any substance to affect one’s
mood.
o Alcohol and other drugs (legal or illegal), as well as various chemicals that are not drugs at
all, are examples of “substances.”
Types of Substance Description
Abuse
Substances That o Both legal and illegal drugs contain ingredients that can change
Are Commonly the way your body and mind work.
Abused o They can give you a lovely “high,” reduce anxiety or help you
 avoid problems in your life.

Alcohol o Alcohol affects everyone differently. However, drinking

excessively and regularly increases your risk of harm or accident.
o Heavy drinking can also lead to liver problems and other health
problems, as well as a more serious alcohol disorder.

Drug Dependence o Illicit drugs, prescribed medications, or a mix of the two can
induce drug use disorder, often known as drug addiction.
o Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, steroids,
and inhalants are all highly addictive chemicals that can lead to a
drug use disorder very quickly.

Heroin o This illegal chemical is nature’s answer to man-made prescription

opioid medicines.
o Initially, heroin provides a surge of fantastic feelings. But as it
wears off, everything slows down.

Caffeine o Caffeine is the most often used mood-altering medicine in the

world, while nicotine is the most widely misapplied.
o Drinking too much coffee is harmful to your health.

Risks for Drug Addiction

o Medication affects people differently. Some people appreciate the pleasure they get the
first time they consume a drug and wish to experience it again. Others dislike the
experience and will never experiment with it again.
o People who have untreated mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to become addicted.
o This is conceivable because both drug usage and mental health concerns affect the same
brain regions. People with these conditions may also use medications to try to feel better.
o You are more prone to acquire a drug addiction if your family is or was unpleasant when
you were growing up.
o Problems at school, at work, or in establishing friends You may use drugs to distract
yourself from these problems.
o Socializing with other drug users. They may try to encourage you to use medicines.
o Begin your drug use when you are young. When youngsters use drugs, their bodies and
minds develop differently. This increases your chances of becoming addicted as an adult.

Substance Abuse in India – 2019 Report

o The 2019 Magnitude of Substance Use in India research has been released.
o To shed light on the issue, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment commissioned
the National Survey on the Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India.
Important discoveries
o With 14.6 percent of the population, alcohol is the most often used psychoactive
substance among Indians.
o In the preceding year, 2.8 percent of the population used cannabis, and 2.1 percent used
opioids.
o Alcoholism is projected to affect 2.7 percent of the population, with an additional 2.5
percent misusing alcohol.
o Approximately 0.55 percent of Indians seek treatment for opioid addiction.
o Alcohol use disorders are common in Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and
Arunachal Pradesh.
Need for Awareness
o When it comes to substance use, drug addiction knowledge is crucial. Drug addiction is
often related to mental health issues. Both feed off of one another, which is why drug
addiction education is so critical. It allows us to discuss every facet of the problem.
o When people from all areas of life are aware of the issue, they may open up. Many
individuals feel that addiction predominantly affects those who live in specific sections of
the nation or come from particular backgrounds.
o The purpose of drug addiction awareness is to encourage users and anyone impacted by
the disease to talk openly about their experiences. It’s a difficult issue, but coming
together gives us strength.
o Drug addiction is often related to mental health issues. Both feed off of one another,
which is why drug addiction education is so critical.
o It allows us to discuss every facet of the problem. The purpose of drug addiction
awareness is to encourage users and anyone impacted by the disease to talk openly about
their experiences.

International Treaties and Conventions to

Combat Drug Menace
o To combat the drug crisis, India has signed the following international conventions and
agreements:
o Convention on Narcotic Drugs of the United Nations (UN) (1961).
o The United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971).
o The United Nations Convention on the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances (1988).
o The United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) was signed in
2000.
2>Drug and Substance Abuse and WHO initiatives
o WHO has played a critical role in addressing the worldwide drug problem inside the UN
system. WHO’s efforts to fight the worldwide drug problem may be divided into the
following categories:
o reducing susceptibility and hazards while preventing drug usage
o Therapy and care for those who are addicted to drugs.
o Managing and preventing the dangers associated with drug use.
o limited medicine access
o monitoring and evaluating
The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

o It is the primary policy-making body of the UN drug control system, and it meets once a year.
o CND, headquartered in Vienna, was founded in 1946.
o It is in charge of establishing the scope of substance control by including them in the
schedules of global drug control treaties.

Battle Against Drug Abuse in India

o According to a UNODC assessment, India is one of the largest centers of illegal drug
trafficking, ranging from ancient cannabis to modern prescription pharmaceuticals such as
tramadol and designer drugs such as methamphetamine.
o The earnings from the drug trade are used to fuel terrorism, human trafficking, and
criminal organizations, among other things.
o India is strategically placed at the crossroads of the world’s two main illegal opium
growing zones, the Golden Crescent in the west and the Golden Triangle in the east,
making it a viable hub for the illicit drug trade.
 o The Golden Triangle, which includes Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, is Southeast Asia’s
primary opium-producing region and one of the oldest drug supply routes to Europe and
North America.
o Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan form the Golden Crescent area, which is a key global center
for opium cultivation and delivery.

Provisions Against Drug Abuse in India

NDPS Act
o The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 is abbreviated as the NDPS
Act.
o It makes recreational marijuana use illegal.
o The Act makes the cultivation, production, possession, sale, purchase, transit, and use of
cannabis illegal.
o However, the NDPS Act does not apply to cannabis plant leaves or seeds.
Project Sunrise
o The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched it in 2016 to address the rising HIV
incidence in India’s north-eastern states, notably among drug users.
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
o It has the jurisdiction to punish those involved in the illegal use and supply of narcotics.
o India has signed various international drug-related UN treaties, and the NCB is in charge
of executing the requirements of these international treaties.
SIMS Portal (Seizure Information Management System)
· In 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs launched the ‘SIMS’ e-portal for all drug law enforcement
agencies mandated under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act to digitize pan-
India drug seizure data (NDPS).
National Institute on Drug Abuse
o It was founded, among other things, to fund the costs of combating illicit drug trafficking,
rehabilitating addicts, and educating the public about drug use.
Coordination Among Various Central and State Agencies
o In order to enforce drug laws effectively, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) developed
the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) system in 2016.
o For greater coordination, the NCORD system was updated in July 2019 into a four-tier
design up to the district level.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Action Plan 2020-21

o The Nasha Mukt Bharat Annual Action Plan for 2020-21 would concentrate on the 272
most hit areas and launch a three-pronged attack that would combine the efforts of the
Narcotics Bureau, Social Justice Outreach/Awareness, and Treatment through the Health
Department.
o The Nasha Mukt Bharat Action Plan 2020-21 includes the following items in this Action
Plan:
o Programs to increase awareness; focus on educational institutions, university campuses,
and schools; community outreach and identification of the dependent population; and
service provider capacity building Programs Implementation:
o The Narcotics Bureau, Social Justice Outreach/Awareness, and Treatment through the
Health Department would launch a three-pronged onslaught.
o IRCAs (Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts) would go out into communities to
help those who are addicted to drugs.
o There will be constructed peer-led community-based outreach programs for high-risk
groups, particularly children, as well as addiction drop-in facilities.
o Detoxification centers would be built.
National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction
(NAPDDR)
o A National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) has been created by the
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for the years 2018 through 2023.
o It intends to concentrate on drug dependence prevention education, awareness raising,
detection, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation.
o Additionally, it ensures that service providers are trained and given the tools they need to
do their jobs better through cooperative efforts across the federal, state, and non-profit
sectors.
o The nodal training and research institute for interventions in the field of social defense is
the National Institute of Social Defense.
o The NAPDDR raises public awareness of the negative impacts that drug usage has on the
individual, family, workplace, and society at large.
o In order to reintegrate drug-dependent groups and people into society, it lessens
stigmatization and prejudice against them.

Conclusion
The most often used drugs in India are marijuana, heroin, and opium, however, methamphetamine
usage is on the rise as well. The number of injecting drug users has also increased significantly.
Addiction, contrary to popular assumptions, is neither an indulgence nor a bad habit. It is a medical
condition. Most people’s perceptions of addiction are based on the assumption that addicts have a
choice. In actuality, it is a chronic condition defined by a compulsive need to consume drugs
notwithstanding the risks.