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Nature and Meaning of Drug Abuse
Nature and Meaning of Drug Abuse
CHAPTER I
NATURE AND MEANING OF DRUG ABUSE
Drug abuse affects most countries in the world, both rich and poor.
The problem now crosses national, ethnic, religious and gender lines. Addicts
The drugs that are beneficial to humanity may also be the same drugs that
diseases and to alleviate human illness of human body; however people may
misuse over these drugs and it is called drug abuse. Abuse of all drugs has adverse
nutrition, loss of appetite, bronchitis and generalized debility which may lead to a
other severe mental illness. Abstinence from the work place, accidents, criminal
Stimulants are, cocaine and amphetamines. The third category, i.e. Hallucinogens,
are LSD, ganja etc. Narcotics drugs include, opium and its derivatives such as
Drug abuse has become a social problem because it has afflicted the
family, the economy and the community. And abuse of all drugs has adverse
nutrition, loss of appetite, bronchitis and generalized debility which may lead to a
other severe mental illness. Abstinence from the work place, accidents, criminal
involvement, prostitution etc are social ill-effects of substance abuse.4 Drug abuse
geographical, historical and economic aspects. The disintegration of the old joint
family system, absence of parental love and care in modern families where both
parents are working, decline of old religious and moral values etc lead to a rise in
the number of drug addicts who take drugs to escape hard realities of life. Drug
use, misuse or abuse is also primarily due to the nature of the drug abused, the
There are many reasons for a person turning to drugs, which include social
causes such as influence of peer group, for pleasure, rebelliousness to family and
style of people and acts of drug pushers to help drug vendors. The fast changing
The introduction of synthetic drugs and intravenous drug has led spreading
of HIV/AIDS this has added a new dimension to the problem, especially in the
Northeast states of the country. Drug abuse has led to a detrimental impact on the
society. It has led to increase in the crime rate. Addicts resort to crime to pay for
their drugs. Drugs remove inhibition and impair judgment egging one on to
commit offences. Incidence of eve - teasing, group clashes, assault and impulsive
murders increase with drug abuse. Apart from affecting the financial stability,
addiction increases conflicts and causes untold emotional pain for every member
of the family. With most drug users being in the productive age group of 18-35
years, the loss in terms of human potential is incalculable. The damage to the
physical, psychological, moral and intellectual growth of the youth is very high.
Adolescent drug abuse is one of the major areas of concern in adolescent and
young people's behaviour. Over the last three years, there has been an increase in
cases of drug abuse among children in the 10-16 years age group in the city. As
4
per the data of city-based drug de-addiction hospitals, hardly any case of drug
that not only in the city, the trend is being observed across the country. Substance
abuse is fast becoming a public health problem among the children and
adolescents of India revealed the study. Today drug abuse among students and
adolescents is growing in India faster than any other time before. And it has been
seriously affecting the growing Indian economy as well as the cultural richness of
Indian society for the past two decades. According to a recent survey, it is shown
that, an estimated 7.5 crore Indians are drug addicts and the number is going up
rates within the age group of 12-18 years was Alcohol (21.4 per cent), Cannabis
(three), Opiates (0.7) and any illicit drug (3.6 per cent)6. And it is reported that a
groups, such as, commercial sex workers, transportation workers and street
children.7
Let us analyse how drug abuse has affected the social economic and
CHAPTER II
Drug abuse is a social evil. It destroys not only vitals of the society but also
adversely affects the economic growth of the country. Drug abuse is a global
phenomenon. In India, the use of opium and cannabis has been in existence since
long ago. In the last three decades, however new drugs like heroin, amphetamine
type stimulants (ATS), cocaine and pharmaceutical compounds have made their
entry and are being used especially in metropolitan cities. Currently, India is not
merely a country for the transit of such drugs from the ‘Golden Triangle’ or
The population of India has reached over 1 billion people and is rising. The
and economy is rapidly changing, and these stresses are having an impact on the
people. Some evidence suggests that there is an increasing use of illicit drugs and
reported numbers point to over 3 million drug addicts in India. However, the
estimating drug usage and addiction rates in the country due to poor bureaucratic
processes and census reporting.9 Drug abuse among children and adolescents is
one of the major challenges that India has been facing even before the foreign
without the worry of excessive use. The natural psychotropic plants in India,
8 National Drug Demand Reduction Policy, Ministry of social justice and empowerment, March, 2013,
https://socialjustice.nic.in/pdf/NDDRP-march2013
9
http://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction/drug-addiction-in-india
6
namely cannabis, poppy, khat and datura, were kept under control for thousands
of years. Cannabis was used by being blown from a hubble-bubble pipe as madak
In fact, opium use prospered even with invasions from Alexander and the
Mughals. It was only after the British invasion that it was monopolised. The
British used to buy at least 15 million pounds of tea from China and has nothing
to sell in return. To balance the deficit, it aggressively sold opium to China. While
controlling cannabis was difficult for the fact that it can be grown anywhere in
pervasive control and discipline of the joint family and community are eroding.
vulnerable to the stresses and strains of modern life. The fast changing social
synthetic drugs and intravenous drug use leading to HIV/AIDS has added a new
Detecting this threat of spreading drug abuse among Indian citizens the
through its two-pronged strategy viz. supply reduction and demand reduction.
Whereas the supply reduction is under the purview of the enforcement agencies
with the Department of Revenue as the nodal agency, the demand reduction
strategy is under the domain of social sector and the Ministry of Social Justice &
Over the years it was realized that the drug abuse is not only a problem
arising out of the availability of such intoxicating drinks and drugs but it has a
great deal to do with the social conditions which create the demand for or the need
for consumption of such substances. The vulnerability of the modern society plays
psychotropic drugs.
Keeping the aforesaid approach in view, the Govt. of India has a three-
Building awareness and educating people about ill effects of drug abuse
Building awareness and educating people about ill effects of drug abuse.
8
The objective of the entire strategy is to empower the society and the
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, as the focal point for drug
Scheme for Prohibition and Drug Abuse Prevention since the year 1985-86. As
the Scheme, while major portion of the cost of services is borne by the
the family and the community is mobilized to the maximum. These Centres
and rehabilitation of the addicts suitable and adaptable to the social customs,
traditions and culture. However this do not in any way undermine adoption of
village panchayats, schools etc. Besides these Centers, the Ministry has been
actively utilizing the various media channels, print as well as audio-visual for
educating the people on the ill effects of drug abuse and also disseminating
viewed that the work environment of an individual is the most important area
security. The loss of a job further aggravates the addictive behaviour. This
aspect was not getting its due importance under the on-going programme. With
the sincere efforts made under the project, a number of corporate institutions
While all round efforts are being made for prevention and containment of
drug abuse in our society, a long journey is yet to be covered before India can
draw some satisfaction. Even though these policies and schemes are there in
increasing drug usage in the country is evident for this. The problem having
transnational causes and implications shall require Herculean efforts on the part
15 ibid
11
CHAPTER III
Drug abuse is a serious social problem. The drug abuse is growing and an
drugs and psychotropic substances into India, and illegal trafficking in such drugs
and substances lave led to drug addiction among a sizeable section of the public,
particularly the adolescents has assumed serous and alarming proportions in the
recent years. Drug addiction threatens to kill the whole generation. No individual,
family or community is safe where illicit drugs take control. Drugs may control
the body and mind of individual consumers, the drug crop and drug cartels may
control farmers, illicit trafficking and crime may control communities. Drugs
generate crime. Drugs affect all sectors of society; in particular, the young people.
CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATES
government to prohibit the use and consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs
which are injurious to health. The right to health has been perhaps the least
difficult area for the court in terms of justifiability, but not in terms of
duty of the state to improve public health. This Article is based on Gandhian
16 The State shall 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, the State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for
medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.
12
principles. However, the court has always recognized the right to health as being
constitution.in the case State of Punjab v Mohinder Singh, the Supreme Court
held that Right to health is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 2117.
Act, 1985 was enacted in November, 1985, to give effect to the provisions of the
ANTI-DRUG LAWS
number of Central and State enactments. The Opium Act of 1857, Opium Act of
1878 and the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1930 were enacted a long time ago.
However with the increase in drug abuse and illicit drug traffic certain
deficiencies in the existing laws surfaced which made it necessary for the
the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930 provides for a maximum term of imprisonment of
3 years with or without fine and 4 years with or without fine for repeat offences.
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substance 1988 and realizing India’s obligation
under Article 25319 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and
196620 , which are reflect the concern of the international community for the
standards of physical and mental health and the gravity of the problem and the
need to enact laws in tune with times, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
legislation on narcotics, providing for stringent and long term prison sentences
and heavy fines for offenders. Offender under this Act includes the cultivator,
supplier, and seller as well as the drug consumer21.The amended Drugs and
Cosmetics Act 2008 and Rules also provide for deterrent punishment and
substances. The amended Act provides that any drug deemed to be adulterated or
spurious when used by any person for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, or
cause such harm on his body as would amount to grievous shall be punishable
with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years but which
may extend to imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine which shall not
19 Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and Well-being of himself and of his family.
20 The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the
Highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
21 Y.K Shabharwal, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances, National Seminar organised by Delhi High Court in collaboration
with Government of Delhi. http://www.supremecourtofindia.nic.in/speeches
14
be less than ten lakh rupees or three times value of the drugs confiscated,
whichever is more. The fines realized in such cases will be paid to the relative of
the deceased or the aggrieved person22. Despite these harsh punishments, the
crime is on rise23.
The NDPS Act, 1985 is one of the harshest laws in the country. It prohibits
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances except for medical and scientific
The NDPS Act 1985 sets out the statutory framework for drug law
enforcement in India. The main elements of the control regime mandated by the
Act are.
government.24
excluding hashish26
substance.27
Given India’s size and the federal nature of polity, a number of agencies
both at the center and the states have been empowered to enforce the provisions of
the Act. These agencies include the department of customs and central excise, the
central Bureau of Investigation and the central level and state police and Excise
departments at the state level. The Union Ministries of social Justice and
Empowerment and Health are responsible for the demand, reduction aspects of
drug law enforcement which broadly covers health- care and the de-addiction,
Chapter IV (15 to 40) of the Act deals with prohibition of offences and
of poppy straw29, coca plant30 , coca leaves31, prepared opium32, opium poppy33 ,
opium34, cannabis plant35 and cannabis36. All these offences are triable by special
years for first offences, to 15 to 30 years for any subsequent offences together
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, any person who finances trafficking
The most important mandate of this Act is that it provides punishment for
the consumption of any kind of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. 37The
for personal consumption and not for sale and distribution or consumes any
29. Section 2 (xviii) of the Act defines"poppy straw" as all parts (except the seeds) of the opium poppy after harvesting whether in their
original form or cut, crushed or powdered and whether or not juice has been extracted therefrom.
30 Section 2(vi)(a) the Act defines "Coca plant" as the plant of any species of the genus Erythroxylon.
31 Section 2(vi)(a) defines “coca leaf means” as the leaf of the coca plant except of a leaf from which all ecgonine, cocaine and any other
ecgonine alkaloids have been removed
32 Section 2(xi)(b) defines “prepared opium” as any product of opium by any series of operations designed to transform opium into an
extract suitable for smoking and the dross or other residue remaining after opium is
smoked
33 section 2 (xvii)of the Act defines "opium poppy" as the plant of the species Papaver somniferous L.; and
the plant of any other species of Papaver from which opium or any phenanthrene alkaloid can
be extracted and which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,
declare to be opium poppy for the purposes of the Act
34 section 2 (xv) of the Act defines “opium" as the coagulated juice of the opium poppy, S.2,(xv)
35 Section 2 (iv) of the Act defines “cannabis plant" as any plant of the genus cannabis.
36 Section 2 2 (iii) defines Cannabis(hemp) as charas that is the separated resin, obtained from cannabis plant and ganja, that is, the
flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant.
37 Section 27 of the Act.
17
But the new provision clearly stipulates that whoever consumes any
of small quantity for personal consumption has been completely deleted and
consumption. In the case Alpesh kumar v.State of Rajasthan38, the accused was
caught for illegally possessing two cigarettes containing 500 ml.gm of heroin, the
accuse argued that it was for his personal consumption but interpreting section
2739 r/w S.8 of the Act the supreme court held that the accused was guilty.
Prior to 2001, in cases pertaining to drug users, the Supreme Court, took
into account the actual drug content in calculating quantity and not the entire
quantity seized40. After the 2001 notification, the penalties were determined by
the quantity of drugs involved, but the NDPS Act did not provide any guidance of
Bureau held that “in the mixture of a narcotic drug or a psychotropic substance
with one or more neutral substance/s, the quantity of the neutral substances is not
by weight of the narcotic drug which is relevant for the purposes of determining
By the amendment in 1989 Section 31A was inserted in the NDPS Act
which imposes mandatory death penalty for certain repeat crimes involving a
punishment laid down in Section 31A other than death. In June 2010, An NGO
Articles 21 (protection of life and liberty) and 14 (equal protection of law) of the
for drug trafficking, which does not involve killing or taking of human life and is
her/himself.44
The Act has been amended twice; in 1989 and 2001. The first amendments
repeat offenders. Following the amendments, persons caught with small amounts
of drugs faced long prison sentences, without the possibility of release on bail.
Courts criticized the harsh and disproportionate sentencing structure, which led to
provide some leniency towards drug offenders who also use drugs.45
Though the NDPS Act provides for stringent provisions for curbing drug
abuse and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, the Act
has certain defects, for example Patients with severe pain in India are not able to
get opioid medicines for pain relief because the state NDPS Rules make it
difficult for hospitals to store and dispense opioids. Hospitals have to obtain
licenses for stocking, import, export, transport etc, each license requiring
administration). These licenses need to be valid at the same time, though often the
validity period of a license is as short as a month. By the time the institution gets a
second license, often the first would have expired validity. On the other hand,
though the NDPS Act allows medical use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
controls under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 have impeded access to opiates
the loksabha has passed the NDPS (amendment) Bill. The amendments make
removing barriers that date back to 1985, when the Act was first introduced. The
45 The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances act Ignoring Health; Infringing Rights, http://www.lawyerscollective.org
20
amendments also include provisions to improve treatment and care for people
drug dependence46 as a chronic, yet manageable condition.47 This will now change
2(viiia) of the Act – a list, which the Central Government can notify on the basis
Government Rules, which will apply uniformly throughout the country, bringing
to an end the unwieldy and inept practice of obtaining multiple State licenses for
possession, transport, purchase, sale, distribution, use and consumption. And the
amendments broaden the object of the NDPS Act from containing illicit use to
also promoting the medical and scientific use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
substances
It is true that the efficacious provisions of the Act are worth for curtailing
the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and drug abuse but when we consider the
changing life style of people and growing demand for narcotic drugs for medicinal
purposes these provisions are inadequate and needs to be amended. And more
than adopting a punitive approach to the drug users the anti- drug laws should
adopt means to rehabilitate them and make them useful citizens to the country.
46 Drug dependence is the body's physical need, or addiction, to a specific agent. There is therefore virtually no difference between
dependency and addiction. Over the long term, this dependence results in physical harm, behavior problems, and association with
people who also abuse drugs, https://www.google.co.in
47 http://www.lawyerscollective.org/updates/parliament-passes-ndps-amendment-bill-2014
21
CHAPTER IV
Only by working together can we create a healthier and safer world that is not
plagued by drug-related crime and violence and where the vulnerable feel they
For hundreds of years, we have known that Kerala, the land’s end of India
which has produced the greatest Philosopher ever known Sankaracharya made
sense as a great state. It is true that among the other Indian states Kerala has a
uniqueness in its culture and life style of people. Our tourism department says it is
“gods own country”, yes to a certain extend it is true in the sense that most of the
time she was free from drought, floods, riots and other calamities even though
other states were being affected by these calamities. In literacy rate the state is
first49, sex ratio is highest among all other states50 and in human development
index Kerala ranks first with a rate of 0.62551 which is much higher than the
national average. But in recent years the situation is changing. As per the report of
national crime records bureau in 2013, Kerala is the state where largest number of
crimes against women is registered. And now Kerala is negatively famous for its
consumption, in recent years there has been a tendency to use narcotic drugs and
and youths are the back bone of a society and they are the engineers of making
future, anything which affects their mental ability and thinking capacity will also
affect the social and economic development of a society. Many studies have
reported that children smoke their first cigarette while attending primary school,
People abuse substances such as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for varied and
complicated reasons, but it is clear that our society pays a significant cost. The toll
for this abuse can be seen in our hospitals and emergency departments through
direct damage to health by substance abuse and its link to physical trauma. Jails
and prisons tally daily the strong connection between crime and drug dependence
and abuse. Although use of some drugs such as cocaine52 has declined, use of
Drug Information Centre (ADIC) India shows that there is an alarming increase in
drug abuse among youngsters. This also leads to increase in criminality and other
vices. The age group of people accused of various crimes show that most of them
52 Cocaine is an addictive drug derived from coca or prepared synthetically, used as an illegal stimulant and sometimes medicinally as a
local anaesthetic.
53 Heroin is a highly addictive analgesic drug derived from morphine, often used illicitly as a narcotic producing euphoria.
54 Club drugs are a pharmacologically heterogeneous group of psychoactive drugs that tend to be abused by teens and young adults at
bars, nightclubs, concerts, and parties.
55
http://www.haindavakeralam.com
56 Urban youth on an alcoholic high, The Hindu newspaper, march, 5, 2013
23
KERALA
health care, highest in standard of living, and it has better law and order and
various organizations and TV channels shows that a sizable portion of the children
and adolescent population in the state are entangled in the use of illicit drugs and
functioning in the state focusing their illegal business on schools and colleges.
The changing life style of people and in capability of bearing stress are found to
be the main reasons of children and youth being addicted to illicit drugs and other
psychotropic substances.
population of 16.3% and youth (Between the age group of 15-24) population of
15.8% and child (Between the age group of 10-14) population of 8.4%57. Compare
to other developing states in the country the child and young population in the
state is much lower. So the available potion children and youth is precious and
they are the driving force of future development and it is the duty of the state to
Newspaper reports that appear now and then give a clear message that
Kerala is now slowly becoming a hub for drug smugglers. The number of
alcoholics and drug addicts in Kerala have been increasing and the number of
deaths due to alcohol abuse has increased tenfold within the last 3 years.
A silver lining in the dark clouds is that the 2011-12 period witnessed a
5% drop in the sales of the Kerala State Beverages Corporation, which means that
Angry, Lonely, and Tired. These are emotions leading to vulnerability and
Alcohol and drug abuse has emerged as a serious concern in Kerala. The
problem of drug abuse. In earlier days the huge amount of alcohol consumption
was the social evil for which the state could not implement any effective
measures, but now a days the gravity of the situation has aggravated by the
increasing use of narcotic drugs and other psychotropic substances. There are
several factors which provides impetus to the current situation in the state.
drug addiction in Kerala. Like elsewhere Kerala has also witnessed the
disintegration of the old joint family system, absence of parental care & affection
in modern families, decline of old religious and moral values, the fast changing
58 Thombs, D. (2006). Introduction to Addictive Behaviors. New York: Guilford Press, p.126
25
social milieu and the increasing personal strain and stress resulting from
industrialization, urbanization and migration. Other than these, there are certain
PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
Psychological factors are the important factors that influence most of the
children and adolescent persons to use illicit drugs. The psychological aspects
such as stress, anxiety, depression can lead to persons to use narcotic drugs and
Most of the students in Kerala are feeling stress from their home and
education centers. Drastic growth in the education field has caused the parents to
lay more stress on the students to study; it has caused anxiety and depression on
the children. Anxiety signals a threat but it can overwhelm the ego. When anxiety
anxiety and depression students are resorting to the prescription drugs which has
high side effects to brain and body. Parental neglect of children is another
psychological factor, in this present world most of the parents do not get adequate
time to look after their children and most of the time they are hesitating to
interfere in the personal matters of their children, this makes them a feeling that
they are neglected, the growing number of divorce in the state supports this
argument. Among college students, it is found that, love failure is another cause
51 Ibid
26
for drug abuse; the depressed students took to the use of substances and drugs.
Some people use drugs for ecstasy and to get sexual vigorousness.
All the people who use drugs for the first time feel that they can overcome
their problems by using drugs, but in reality over time the changes in the brain
caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to
make sound decisions, and at the same time create an intense impulse to take
drugs.
SOCIAL FACTORS
ward. The motivators behind the initial drug use can lead to addiction. There are
several social factors that increase the chances of developing a drug addiction.
Social factors includes the institutions that influences the behavior of individuals.
The negative influence of these social institutions adversely affects the mind of
youngsters and students and entangle them in the trap of drug addiction. These are
Some of these factors have grave relevancy in the rapid increase in the
PEER PRESSURE
Particularly in teens, peer pressure can have an effect on drug use. Studies
prove that most of the students starts using drugs under the influence of their
spread the habit among other persons too. Peer influences have been found to be
27
among the strongest predictors of drug use during adolescence. It has been argued
that peers initiate youth into drugs, provide drugs, model drug-using behaviors,
and shape attitudes about drugs.60Membership of a social group that supports drug
FAMILY
Most of the parents in Kerala are not aware of the fact that their children
and non-interference of parents in the matters of their sons and daughters. Studies
revealed that in a good number of cases, the families of drug- users were not
relationship between drug usage and ‘staying away from parents’, it was found
that residence with parents was as important in the incidence of drug usage as
The nature of family control, the discipline imposed by parents over the
children, the parent’s interest in their friends. Leisure activities and their future
career prospects and parents remain conscious of their obligations towards their
60 http://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction/peer-pressure
61 Asianet news report titled ‘clean campus safe campus.
62 Social problems in India, Ram Ahuja, Rawat publications – New Delhi, 3rd edition,2014, p.375
28
One of the important factors that helps the growth of drug usage among
children and adolescence is the easy access to the drugs and substances. As far as
the state of Kerala is concerned, the news reports63 and police investigations have
proven that many drug mafias and rackets have been functioning in the state
focusing their attention on youth and adolescents who are addicted to drugs. And
they are campaigning among the students influence them by praising the faulty
merits of these kinds of drugs. It is reported that these rackets uses the persons
who are highly addicted to drugs (locally called ‘jungies’) to influence the other
persons.
It has also been reported that alcohol and drug mafia and drug cartels are
from Mysore and other parts of Karnataka, aiming the students and youths in
Kozhikode and nearby districts has also become rampant. As per the police
records, an average of 5-6 drug peddling cases are being registered in a month in
The city police commissioner of Trissur district P.Vijayan has says that
“Alcohol and substance abuse have become common in schools, among both boys
ECONOMIC FACTORS
the incidents of drug abuse among the youth. The tremendous stress, rejection,
fear and frequent bouts of depression that often result from being unemployed are
high risk factors for the development of a substance abuse problem. Many people
who are struggling with the negative effects of unemployment turn to alcohol or
drugs to mitigate the discomfort and sense of helplessness they feel. This is a
serious mistake, and it can destroy your entire life. There are incidence that these
unemployed persons got trapped in the gang of drug mafias and rackets and do the
marginalization of large scale sectors, pushed some people to adopt the use and
sale of drugs as a coping mechanism. The secular drug use in times of poverty
pushed the way for the spread of heroin in the market. Research suggests that
drug use. Those who are unemployed, particularly long term unemployed, in poor
or insecure housing and are early school leavers have a higher rate of substance
abuse than those who do not fit into these categories. It should be noted, however,
that these risk factors do not determine whether a person abuses drugs or
alcohol68. In Kerala, the studies says that drug abuse is high among poor
consequence of drug usage they can easily be influenced by the drug dealers. In
the initial stages they were provided with drugs on cheap cost and gradually, when
they become addicted to drugs they will start demanding more money for further
delivery of drugs, this would aggregate the poverty among them. And most of the
Because of the rich wildlife diversity and scenic beauty, the hills of
Kerala have in the past four decades attracted domestic and foreign tourists from
various countries as the tourism sector in Kerala develops the social evils behind
its screen also increases. The recent trends shows that prostitution and drug abuse
are increasing in the state with development of tourism industry. Many of the
drugs such as Heroin and Hashish are coming through the hands of tourists and
The changing life patterns of people also influences the drug usage in the
state. There are several incidents of drug dealings and drug abuses have been
taking place in different corners of Kerala behind the scene of night party in house
boats and hotels. “It is shocking that drug parlors are functioning in the state and
drug party and drug evenings are being conducted. An international mafia is
tightening its grip in the state providing narcotic candies, ice cream and pills to
International day against drug abuse) .Like liquor people have started consuming
heroine and other highly seductive psychotropic substances from the house boats
and hotels where night parties are being conducted, supports this view.
icons as their role models consume drugs for showing their loyalty and respect to
him. Recently Kerala police have arrested several teenagers for possessing
ganja69. At the time of arrest the police have seized some bags and jacket from
them having the picture of Bob Marley on it. And cell phones they were carrying
have the pop songs of Bob Marley. The police have said that the drug rackets are
GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS
Kerala’s coastal area has always been a vulnerable point. Thrissur district
which has the longest coastline among the districts from Veliyankode in Ponnani
Taluk in the north to Kodungalloor in the south, had registered a large no. of cases
point for contraband and drugs. The district’s hilly hinterland bordering the
transit point for smuggling heroin to Sri Lanka. It is suspected that truck carriers
from West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh &Bihar arrive in the city with heroin
consignments which are in turn smuggled to Sri Lanka with the help of agents71.
Drug abuse have far reaching effects on society. It will negatively affects
Kerala is concerned, the reports and studies shows that the family structure and
moral conduct of the society have badly affected by the drug consumption.
SOCIAL EFFECTS
addicts does not know even the fact that their children are addicted to drugs.
child abuse and neglect cases involve substance abuse by the children's parents.
Prostitution is another social evil that have aggravated in the state due to the
increase in drug abuse. Another effect is that, with the closing down of bars
the demand for illicit drugs has increased in the state. The studies says that the
state has been witnessing a spurt in the use of drugs, mainly ampoules of
restricted drugs, in the wake of the liquor curbs as well as tight enforcement
against drunken driving. It is feared that the situation may aggravate further with
the closure of bars and reduction in liquor supply. According to police and excise
sources, drug abuse has increased after the closure of 418 bars in April. They are
easy to consume, give prolonged kick and the police cannot easily detect them.
Till this May, the excise and police registered 939 cases under the Narcotic Drugs
and Psychotropic Substances Act (592 by police and 347 by excise). Of this, over
500 cases were initiated during April-May and the majority pertained to restricted
drugs. Enforcement officials admit that this is only the tip of the iceberg as it is
very difficult to crack the well-established racket with the present infrastructure of
Another evil effect of drug abuse is the increase in the number of HIV positive
patients. Injecting drug users (IDUs)73often share needles and syringes. One HIV
positive addict in the group spreads the infection to the rest through such
most of the sexual offences happening Kerala is the result of the use of narcotic
72 Deccan chronicle, ‘with bars shut drug abuse goes up in Kerala’(news) ,august 30, 2014
73 IDU’s are addicts who inject instead of smoking, snorting or orally consuming drugs
74 National crime record bureau report 2013.
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seriousness of the situation. The crime records shows that most of the accused
persons indulged in sexual offenses have consumed one or other kind of narcotic
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
Drug abuse is a social evil. It destroys not only vitals of the society but also
adversely affects the economic growth of the state because this is a trade which
means of money laundering. The money generated is used for various purposes
including anti-national and terrorist activities and even clandestine trading in arms
and ammunition. Drug trafficking activities have sharply increased over the years
punishments provided under the law because they have been able to evade the
process of law. News reports shows that even in medical stores in Kerala, the
medicinal drug sellers provides highly seductive narcotic drugs without the
prescription of authorised medical practitioners. The drug mafias and rackets who
illegally trafficking and selling expensive narcotic drugs makes huge amount of
profit without even paying the tax. It is believed that the migrant workforce from
investigation by the Central Zone Drugs Control Department revealed that daily-
wage workers who come to Kerala are going back home with bundles of
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drug problems are oblivious in the Kerala society. And the state government has
vital role to play in this context by identifying these causative aspects which drive
people to abuse drugs and substances and frame suitable measures to tackle the
problem effectively.
75 Dextropropoxyphene belongs to a group of medicines called opioids. Opioids mimic the effects of naturally occurring pain reducing
chemicals (endorphins). They combine with the opioid receptors in the brain and block the transmission of pain signals.
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CHAPTER IV
We have discussed the various causes and effects of drug abuse in Kerala.
And we have seen that the children and adolescents are the most affected by drug
abuse. They use drugs for many reasons - peer pressure, academic failure,
ignorance of the consequences, curiosity and fun, easy availability of the drugs,
In the state, the state police and the state excise officers are involved in
and cannabis crops. The Social Welfare Department of the state is responsible for
drug demand reduction activities at the state level whereas the treatment of addicts
government ensures that all treatment centers meet the respective minimal
Bureau at the national level co-ordinates with the state government. In Kerala also
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the police, excise officers and the Forest Department, along with the departments
of Health and Social Welfare, wage the war against drug related crimes.
messages of drug abuse and anti-alcoholism flex boards, banners, leaflets etc., are
being exhibited and circulated. Seminars and public meeting are being conducted
with the active co-operation of political workers, social workers and other Local
Self Government Departments in the selected places / centers. With the active co-
competition, drawing competition etc are being conducted and experts such as
psychologists, doctors, social workers, are taking awareness classes for the
students of High Schools and Colleges. Project reports are being received from
abuse through the forum, “Vidyalaya Jagratha Samithi”, which is into its fifth year
it has ventured out to spread the message against the abuse of drugs among
society.
curb and control the aggravating problem of drug abuse among children and
adolescents.
As the use of narcotic products such as marijuana and ganja is found high
named ‘Clean Campus Safe Campus’. The project is intended to make the
campuses free from drug abuse and will be a countervailing force. This is a joint
launched by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on July this year, aims at total
awareness programmes through media, including videos. The drive will seek
support from Students Police Cadets, NCC, Scouts and Guides, school PTAs and
local bodies. The Home Department and the police will take strong steps to
productive future citizens of the State. The prime purpose is to carve out a healthy
society through children and students. The campaign seeks to achieve this
objective through the tried and tested method of intervention through education
institutions. The purpose of this campaign is not only mere prevention in the use
of narcotic substance but also make the campus free of all addictive substances.
creating awareness and raising learning atmosphere are some of the enshrined
committee to implement the ‘Clean Campus, Safe Campus’ project. The structure
will consist of school, district and state-level monitoring committees. The head of
the institution will serve as the chairperson of the school-level committee, while
the district collector will chair the district-level committee. The state-level
Department.
To ensure better and effective enforcement of the NDPS Act, COTPA Act
200377, Motor Vehicle Act 1988, Act, ABKARI Act 200378, Kerala police Act
2011, Juvenile Justice Act 2010 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
Act (POSCO) Act 2012 etc. in and around the premises of the educational
72 The cigarettes and other tobacco products (prohibition of advertisement and regulation of trade and commerce, production, supply
and distribution) Act, 2003
78 The abkari (amendment) act, 2010
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and substances use including tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful substance
corrective measures.
To motivate and enable parents, teachers and society to seriously take their
To protect children from physical and sexual abuse effectively check and
ROLE OF MEDIA
Media has substantial role in reaching and persuading people to adopt new
healthier life style. Medias including visual media, Newspapers, social networking
sites, Radio and broadcasting etc have the duty to shape public opinion for a
common cause. This duty of the media can be used for making aware of the
people of social evil in which they are addicted to. Considering the case of drug
abuse in Kerala media have played tremendous role in bringing about the problem
the public about the seriousness of the problem. Both TV channels and
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youth.
ROLE OF NGO’S
human and social development. NGOs have played a critical role in promoting
and facilitating health and educational activities in India as well as Kerala. The
helps the government in rehabilitating the victims and offenders of drug abuse and
make him a normal man useful to the society. The activities and programmes of
have made tremendous strides in mental health promotion and care, against
massive odds ranging from low awareness about mental illness to lack of
motivation donors. The mental health NGO’s like Social Education & Welfare
the state.
79 R. Thara, Vikram Patel, Role of non-governmental organizations in mental health in India, https:// www.indianjpsychiatry.org
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From the above study it is apparent that the government have started
measures taken by the government, the media and a number of NGO’s have also
been participated in making the public aware of the far reaching ill effects of drug
abuse and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs in the state. Even though the
campaigns and activities started by the government and the media have been
implemented successfully, in order to get the good fruits of these newly launched