Drug- Addiction

Introduction: Drug abuse may be perceived both as aberrant behavior and a social problem. In
the former sense, it is regarded as an evidence of individual’s social maladjustment; in the latter
sense, it is viewed as a widespread condition that has harmful consequences for society. In
several western countries, drug abuse was regarded as an important social problem since long but
in India, it is only since last one and a half decade that it has come to be considered a crucial
social problem. It is said that India has become not only an important transit center for drugs, but
the prevalence of drug use is also alarmingly increasing. According to one estimate, India has
about 10 lakh heroin addicts only. The use of illicit drugs is not confined to the street urchins and
the lower classes; more and more middle and upper class youth are succumbing to drugs. An
aberrant person addicted to drugs would conceal his transgression from social norms of society,
violates norms without questioning their legitimacy, and attempts to escape the penalties for
violating norms without proposing changes in them. In the psychological and sociological
contexts, drug is a term for habit forming substance which directly affects the brain or nervous
system. More precisely, it refers to “any chemical substance which affects bodily function,
mood, perception, or consciousness which has potential for misuse, and which may be harmful to
the individual or the society.” (Jullian, 1977)

Basic Characteristics

 An overpowering desire or need(compulsion to continue taking the drug and to obtain it

by any means)
 A tendency to increase the dose
 A psychological and generally a physical dependence on the effects of the drugs; and
 An effect detrimental to the individual and to the society.

‘Drug abuse’ is the use of illicit drug or misuse of legitimate drug resulting into physical
or psychological harm. It includes smoking ganja or hashish, taking heroin or cocaine or
LSD, injecting morphine, drinking alcohol, and so forth. These are sometimes referred to
as being ‘high on speed’ or ‘trip’ or ‘getting kicks’. Drug dependence denotes habitual or
frequent use of a drug. The dependence can either be physical or psychological. Physical
dependence occurs with the repeated use of the drug when the body has adjusted to the
presence of a drug and will suffer pain, discomfort or illness if the use of the drug is
discontinued.

Nature and impact of abusable drugs

 Alcohol: alcohol is used by some people as a normal, pleasant and sociable activity,
while others take it as a spur which enables them to work. It also acts as a sedative which
 calms down nerves or a kind of an anesthetic which reduces the pain of living. It also
impairs judgment and creates confusion.
 Sedatives or depressants: It relaxes the central nervous system, induce sleep and
provide a calming effect. Tranquilizers and barbiturates fall into this category. Medically,
they are used in high blood pressures, insomnia, and epilepsy and to relax patients before
and doing surgery. As depressants, they depress actions of nerves and muscles. In small
quantity, they slow down breathing and heart-beating and make the user relaxed, but in
higher doses, their effects resemble alcohol intoxication in which the user becomes
sluggish, gloomy and sometimes irritable.
 Stimulants: It activates the central nervous system and relieves tensions, treat mild
depression, increase alertness, contract fatigue and expressive drowsiness, and lessen
aggressive inhibitions. The most widely known stimulants are amphetamines (popularly
called pep-pill’s) caffeine, and cocaine. Heavier doses cause extreme nervousness,
headache, diarrhea, and unclear speech.
 Narcotics: Narcotics like sedatives produce a depressant effect on the central nervous
system. They produce feelings of pleasure, strength and superiority, reduce hunger and
increase suggestibility. Included in this category are opium, marijuana, heroin (smack),
morphine, pethidine, cocaine and cannabis (charas, ganja and bhang). Heroin is a white
powder made from morphine; cocaine is made from the leaves of the coca bush and is
odourless; cannabis is obtained from the hemp plant; and marijuana is a particular form
of cannabis. Heroin, morphine, pethidine and cocaine are used either by inhaling the
powder, or injecting the liquid form. Opium and marijuana may be smoked, sniffed or
ingested.
 Hallucinogens: It produces distortions of perception and dream-images. Their use is not
advised by medical practitioners. The well-known drug in this group is LSD, which is a
man-made chemical. An amount literally smaller than a grain of salt can produce gross
psychotic reactions in human beings. It may be obtained as a small white pill, as
crystalline powder in capsules, or in liquid form in ampoules.
 Nicotine: It includes cigarettes, bidi, cigars, snuff and tobacco. Nicotine has no medical
use. The risk of physical dependence however, may be there. The frequent and heavy use
of nicotine may cause heart attack, lung cancer, and bronchitis. The law does not classify
this as a drug.

Causes for dug-addiction

 Mental deficiency: It has been observed that the drug-addicted persons are generally of
an unstable mind. Generally, in order to hide their weak points of the personality they get
addicted to drugs.
 Treatment: Few people use such type of drugs in order to get relief from physical and
mental illness. But after a few months, they get addicted to it.
 Abnormal personality: Those who have abnormal personality also feel always
dissatisfaction. In order to fulfill the dreams of their utopia, they get addicted to drugs.
 Other causes: Like failure in an exam, love, inferiority complex, lack of family control,
for fun, influence of western culture, etc.
 Social causes: facilitating social experiences, being accepted by friends, and challenging
social values.
 Physiological causes: staying awake, heightening sexual experiences, removing pain and
getting sleep.

Control of Drug Addiction

From the past one decade, the illegal traffic of drugs has increased in India. In 1983,
Royal Commission was set up which studies the control and effects of opium. In 1948,
Excise Minister’s conference was organized by the GOI at New Delhi, wherein it was
decided to abandon the present excise policy in favour of physical control on the supply
of opium with the object of prohibiting oral consumption of the drugs by March 1959. A
central organization- Narcotic Intelligence Bureau was set up by the GOI in 1936 under
Article 11 and 12 of the Geneva Convention of 1936 which coordinates the preventive
activities of central and state governments in respect of drug addiction. During the past
few years, this has brought out history sheet records of 398 persons as traffickers in
narcotics. These history sheets which contain all available information on the identity and
criminal records of traffickers are supplemented by periodical investigations, the result of
which are circulated to state excise and police authorities. These efforts have several big
seizures and in smashing some of the powerful ring of drug traffickers in India. There is
also “The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances Act, 1985” which maintained that
illegal traders of drugs will be given 10 years punishment and one lakh fine. The
repetition of such crime would cause 1.5 to 3 lakh fine. The court has been given freedom
to leave such criminals in hospitals, camps and medical programmes for participation
under special conditions. Welfare department of GOI gave economic and other help to
such NGOs which work to develop general awareness among people against the ill-
effects of drug addiction. National Institute of Social Defense gives training to such
governmental and non-governmental organizations. In addition, for the proper treatment
and rehabilitation of affected persons the NGOs have established 26centres, 91 advising
centers and rehabilitative centers. 76 hospitals and other institutions gave proper medical
treatment to such persons. Government can help in the education and socialization of
people for this concern through mass media. In additions, the doctors and physician must
change their attitude regarding too much dependency on medical drugs. They should
adopt and prescribe to alternative traditional methods, say yoga and meditation for
patients.