Submitted By: Neha Roy (A032134722010)

Prachi Singh (A032134722024)

Krishna Goyal (A032134722047)
Kartik Puri (A032134722103)

Submitted To: Ms. Neelakshi Talukdar

Course: B.A.LLB(G)
Semester: 2nd Year, 4th Semester

Topic: Is drug abuse spoiling the lives of teenagers?

Acknowledgment
We would like to express our special thanks of gratitude to our sociology teacher Ms. Neelakshi
Talukdar ma’am for providing us with this opportunity to work on this project which really
helped us learn new things.

Moreover, we are very grateful to our parents and friends who helped us make this project
successful.

We are very overwhelmed to have this opportunity which really helped us grow in a round
manner.

- Neha Roy
- Prachi Singh
- Krishna Goyal
- Kartik Puri
What is drug abuse?
Let us first understand what is drug abuse. So basically drug abuse refers to the harmful or
inappropriate use of drugs for non-medical purposes. It involves the consumption of substances
in a manner that deviates from approved medical guidelines or societal norms and leads to
negative consequences for the individual's health, well-being, and social functioning. Drug abuse
can involve both legal and illegal substances, including prescription medications, over-the-
counter drugs, and illicit drugs.

Drug abuse typically involves the use of substances outside of their intended medical purposes.
This can include using prescription medications without a valid prescription, taking higher doses
than prescribed, or using drugs for recreational purposes rather than for their therapeutic effects.

Individuals who engage in drug abuse often engage in risky behaviors such as sharing needles,
consuming drugs of unknown purity or potency or combining multiple substances (polydrug
use). These behaviors increase the likelihood of adverse health outcomes and other negative
consequences.

Prolonged drug abuse can lead to physical and psychological dependence on the substance.
Physical dependence is characterized by withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued,
while psychological dependence involves intense cravings and compulsive drug-seeking
behavior.

Continued drug abuse can lead to the development of tolerance, where individuals require
increasingly larger doses of the drug to achieve the desired effects. Tolerance can increase the
risk of overdose and other health complications associated with drug abuse.

Drug abuse can have a wide range of negative effects on physical and mental health. These
effects vary depending on the type of drug, the route of administration, and individual factors but
may include:

 Organ damage (e.g., liver damage from alcohol abuse, lung damage from smoking)
 Cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, strokes)
 Respiratory issues (e.g., respiratory depression from opioid abuse)
 Mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, psychosis)
  Infectious diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and C from needle-sharing)

History of drug abuse among teenagers

In the early to mid-20th century, drug abuse among teenagers was relatively limited compared to
later decades. However, there were still instances of substance use, including alcohol, tobacco,
and certain prescription medications. Marijuana and other recreational drugs were also used by
some teenagers, although their prevalence was lower compared to later periods.

The 1960s and 1970s saw a significant increase in drug experimentation among teenagers,
particularly as part of the counterculture movement. Marijuana, LSD, and other psychedelic
drugs became increasingly popular, influenced by cultural icons, music, and anti-establishment
sentiments. This period also witnessed a rise in heroin use among certain urban youth
populations.

The 1980s brought about the crack cocaine epidemic, which disproportionately affected low-
income urban communities, including teenagers. Crack cocaine became widely available and
highly addictive, leading to a surge in drug-related crime and violence. Concurrently, anti-drug
campaigns, such as the "Just Say No" campaign led by First Lady Nancy Reagan, aimed to deter
teenagers from using drugs through education and prevention efforts.

In the 1990s, there was a rise in the use of club drugs such as ecstasy (MDMA), ketamine, and
GHB among teenagers, particularly in the rave and nightclub scenes. Additionally, there was a
growing trend of prescription medication abuse, including opioids, stimulants, and tranquilizers,
often obtained from medicine cabinets at home or through illicit means.

The 2000s saw a dramatic increase in opioid abuse among teenagers, fueled in part by the
widespread availability of prescription painkillers and the subsequent rise of heroin use. Factors
contributing to the opioid epidemic among teenagers included overprescribing of opioid
medications, aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies, and increased availability of
heroin. Additionally, the internet played a role in facilitating access to information about drugs,
enabling peer influence, and facilitating online drug markets.

In recent years, there has been a surge in vaping among teenagers, particularly with the
popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored vape products. Concerns have been raised about the health
risks of vaping and nicotine addiction among youth. Additionally, the emergence of synthetic
drugs, such as synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., Spice, K2) and synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl
analogs), has posed new challenges in combating drug abuse among teenagers.

So as we can see drug abuse among teenagers has started from the 1960s.

Legal Knowledge

To reduce drug abuse among teenagers this legal knowledge is necessary:

 Legal Drinking Age: In many countries, including the United States, the legal drinking
age is 21. This means that individuals under the age of 21 are prohibited from purchasing,
possessing, or consuming alcoholic beverages. There are penalties for underage drinking,
including fines, community service, and suspension of driver's licenses.
 Drug Possession Laws: Most countries have laws that prohibit the possession of certain
drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and other controlled substances. Possession
of illegal drugs by teenagers can lead to arrest, criminal charges, and legal consequences,
including fines, probation, and incarceration.
 Zero-Tolerance Policies: Many schools and educational institutions have adopted zero-
tolerance policies towards drug use and possession on school grounds. Students found in
possession of drugs or under the influence of drugs may face disciplinary action,
including suspension or expulsion.
 Juvenile Justice System: Teenagers involved in drug-related offenses are often processed
through the juvenile justice system, which is separate from the adult criminal justice
system. The juvenile justice system focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment and
aims to address the underlying issues contributing to delinquent behavior.
 Parental Responsibility Laws: Some jurisdictions have parental responsibility laws that
hold parents accountable for their children's drug-related activities. Parents may be
subject to fines or other penalties if they knowingly allow their children to use drugs or
fail to take reasonable steps to prevent drug abuse.
 Drug Trafficking and Distribution Laws: Teenagers involved in drug trafficking or
distribution face serious legal consequences, including felony charges and lengthy prison
sentences. Law enforcement agencies often conduct undercover operations and sting
operations to target drug trafficking networks that exploit teenagers.
  Drug Treatment Courts: In some jurisdictions, drug treatment courts are established to
divert non-violent drug offenders, including teenagers, into treatment programs instead of
incarceration. These specialized courts aim to address substance abuse issues and reduce
recidivism through rehabilitation and support services.
 Confidentiality Laws: Confidentiality laws protect the privacy of individuals seeking
treatment for substance abuse, including teenagers. Healthcare providers and counselors
are required to maintain confidentiality unless there are specific circumstances, such as
imminent danger to the individual or others.
Legal aspects of drug abuse among teenagers are essential for parents, educators, healthcare
professionals, and law enforcement officials to effectively address and prevent drug-related
problems among youth. Prevention efforts, early intervention, and access to treatment and
support services are crucial components of a comprehensive approach to addressing drug abuse
among teenagers within the framework of the law.

Case Law
So let us understand drug abuse among teenagers through a case law
Narconon Foundation v. Government of NCT of Delhi case, heard in the Delhi High Court in
2013.
In this case, the Narconon Foundation, a non-profit organization focusing on drug rehabilitation,
filed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions from the court to address the issue of
drug abuse among teenagers in Delhi. The PIL highlighted the alarming rise in drug abuse
among school and college students in the city and the lack of effective measures to tackle the
problem.

The Delhi High Court took cognizance of the PIL and directed the government authorities to take
immediate action to address the issue of drug abuse among teenagers. The court emphasized the
importance of prevention, awareness, and rehabilitation programs targeting youth vulnerable to
substance abuse.

As a result of the court's intervention, various initiatives were undertaken by government

agencies and non-profit organizations to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse,
provide counseling and support services to affected teenagers, and strengthen enforcement
measures to curb drug trafficking and distribution networks targeting youth.

This case underscores the judiciary's role in addressing social issues such as drug abuse among
teenagers and its commitment to safeguarding the well-being of youth through legal
interventions and policy measures. It highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between
government authorities, civil society organizations, and the judiciary to address the complex
problem of drug abuse among teenagers in India.