The problems of drug abuse and illicit trafficking are threatening livelihoods and communities in many countries. Globally, it is estimated that between 153 million and 300 million people aged 15-64 use an illicit substance as per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It is also estimated that there are between 99,000 and 2,53,000 deaths globally due to illicit drug use every year. In India, there are about 3 million estimated victims of different kinds of drug usages.
Illicit use of psychoactive drugs is dangerous for the health of individuals and society. It induces changes in behaviour and emotional status and causes severe psychological disorders. It also undermines the social fabric of the community. Because of their action on the brain, such drugs induce dependence on them, leading to loss of interest in many areas of life. Drugs are placed under national and international control to prevent the negative health and social consequences of substance abuse. Reasons for drug use are closely linked to population mobility and livelihoods, impacting not only on the individual drug user but also on the families and communities in a devastating way and further aggravating the situation of poverty.
On June 26, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed, which serves as a reminder of the need to combat the problems to the society posed by illicit drugs. This important day was initiated by the United Nations General Assembly to create a society free of illegal drugs and drug abuse. The UNODC has long been at the forefront of campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of traditional drugs such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine and amphetamine-type substances. This day is supported by individuals, communities and various organisations all over the world.
Today, however, there is an alarming new drug problem; the demand has soared for substances not under international control. Therefore, the 2013 UNODC global awareness campaign “Make health your ‘new high’ in life, not drugs” aims to inform the public, particularly young people, about the harmful effects of drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS). Sold openly, including through the internet, these substances, which have not been tested for safety in humans, can be far more dangerous than traditional drugs.
Drug and alcohol abuse are the examples of drinking and using drugs (prescription and illicit) that cause harmful effects to a person’s health, livelihood, relationships and productivity. Single dosage of either alcohol or drugs doesn’t automatically deem the person an addict. However, continuous usage and drug abuse can lead to chemical dependency and addiction. Drug abuse has been known to destroy homes, deteriorate relationships, causing fatal accidents, domestic violence and physical abuse. Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Illicit drugs weaken economic and social development and contribute to crimes, instability, insecurity and the spread of HIV.
livelihood is an integrated system enabling people to have a secure and sustainable living. The system is based on access to education, health, hygiene, risk reduction, housing, clothing, skills, means of production and information. The concept of sustainable livelihoods has been utilised extensively by the UNODC and the international community as a basis for their work in the field of alternative development. To date, the major objective of interventions in this area has been to provide alternative sustainable livelihoods to farming families in order to prevent them from being dependent on illicit crop cultivation. The principal desired outcome of this approach is the cessation of illicit drug crop cultivation through creation of alternative income.
People living in poverty are more likely to engage in drug abuse, become criminals and suffer from bad health. Teenagers and young adults are also particularly vulnerable to using illicit drugs. The prevalence of drug use among young people is more than twice as high as that among the general population. At this age, peer pressure to experiment with illicit drugs can be strong and the self-esteem is often low. Also, those who take drugs tend to be either misinformed or insufficiently aware of the health risks involved.
The UN General Assembly recognised that despite continued and increased efforts by the international community, the world drug problem continues to constitute a serious threat to public health, the safety and wellbeing of humanity and sovereignty of States, and that it undermines socioeconomic and political stability and sustainable development. It encourages the UNODC to continue its work on international drug control and urges all Governments to provide the fullest possible financial and political support to enable the UNODC to continue, expand and strengthen its operational and technical cooperation activities within its mandates.
There is a need for Government enforcement agencies, nongovernmental philanthropic agencies and others to collaborate and supplement each other’s efforts for a solution to the problem of drug addiction through education and legal actions.
Steps should be taken to reach out and engage drug users in prevention, treatment and care strategies that protect them, their families from infectious diseases, health problems in general and encourage entry into substance dependence treatment and medical care and rehabilitation.
Taking into account the individual right to a healthy life and the interest of the entire society, specific interventions have to be promoted to reduce the adverse health and social consequences of drug abuse. These strategies need to target the sub-groups of the population that are not sensitive to prevention programmes, drug-dependent individuals who are not motivated to attend treatment facilities, non-responders to treatment who continue to use illicit drugs and those patients who easily relapse into substance abuse.
In a number of countries, laws prescribe severe punishments for all drug-related offences, including drug use and possession of drugs. The Article 47 of the Constitution of India directs the State to regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties, and, in particular, to endeavour to bring about prohibition of consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 has been enacted in India. Under this Act, it is illegal for a person to produce/manufacture/cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store and consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. The Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act is a drug control law passed in 1988 by the Parliament of India. It was established to enable full implementation and enforcement of the NDPS Act of 1985.
Seeking to check the alarming rise of drug abuse in various parts of the country, the Government is planning to introduce a National Policy on Drug Abuse. The State Governments also have their own Health Departments and Social Welfare Departments, each of which has its own set of activities relating to Drug Demand Reduction. The Government’s policy has thus been to promote their use for medical and scientific purposes while preventing their diversion from licit sources and prohibiting illicit traffic and abuse.
Governments have a responsibility to counteract both drug trafficking and drug abuse, but communities can also make a major contribution. Families, schools and civil societies can do their part to rid their communities of drugs. The media can also raise awareness about the dangers of drugs. This will foster communities free of drug-related crimes and violence, individuals free of drug dependence who can contribute to a common future and a safer world for all.
(Dr Mayarani Praharaj works at the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)