Recently, an investigation has revealed that the drug addiction epidemic, mostly affecting young men, is spreading across India. Drug abuse is a significant social and health issue in India. India’s diverse population, large youth demographics, and economic disparities contribute to the complex nature of drug abuse in the country. Changing cultural values, increased economic stress and a loss of supportive relationships are leading to the onset of substance use. According to a report by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 16 crore people (14.6%) aged 10 to 75 years are current users of alcohol, and 5.2% of them are alcohol-dependent. About 3.1 crore individuals (2.8%) are cannabis users, and 72 lakh (0.66%) people suffer from cannabis problems. 7% of children and adolescents use inhalants, while the rate is 0.58% among adults. About 18 lakh children need help for inhalant use. It is estimated that about 8.5 lakh people are injecting drugs. The most worrying category of drugs in India is opioids, with the prevalence of opioid use in India being three times the global average (0.7% vs. 2.1%). Of all drug categories, drugs in the opioid group (particularly heroin) are associated with the highest rates of disease, death, and disability.
Drug abuse can lead to a variety of physical health problems, including liver disease (from alcohol), infectious diseases (due to sharing needles in injection drug use), and overdose deaths. Also, substance abuse is strongly associated with mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. It can exacerbate existing mental health problems or lead to the development of new ones. Drug abuse can break up families, increase conflict, and cause emotional trauma within families. Children in families affected by drug abuse may face neglect, abuse, and disrupted education, affecting their overall well-being. Individuals struggling with drug addiction often face social stigma, which can hinder their recovery and reintegration into society. Families often face financial difficulties due to the cost of supporting a family member’s addiction and the associated medical expenses. Most drug users are in the productive age group of 18-35 years. Drug addiction can lead to absenteeism and reduced productivity at the workplace. An increase in violence and crime is a direct effect of drug abuse. Drug addicts resort to crime to pay for their drugs. Drugs remove inhibitions and reduce decision-making ability, which leads a person to commit crime. Incidents of brawling, group conflicts, assault, and impulsive killings increase with drug abuse.
There is limited awareness about the risks and consequences of drug abuse among the general population, especially in rural areas. In addition, educational programs in schools and communities to inform people, especially young individuals, about the dangers of drug abuse are inadequate. Stigmatizing individuals with substance use disorders may discourage them from seeking help and support. Discrimination in healthcare facilities and society at large may hinder access to treatment and rehabilitation services. There is a severe shortage of drug addiction treatment facilities and qualified healthcare professionals. There is limited research on the prevalence and patterns of drug abuse in India, which hinders evidence-based policy making and program development. There are also challenges in collecting accurate data due to the hidden and stigmatized nature of drug abuse. India’s geographical location close to major opium-producing areas leads to easy availability of these drugs. Moreover, according to the Narcotics Control Bureau, there is a growing trend of using the ‘dark net’ and cryptocurrencies for illicit drug trade. The consumption of new psychoactive substances is on the rise in India, and these substances often fall outside the scope of existing drug control regulations, making it challenging for law enforcement agencies to effectively monitor and regulate them.
The broad legislative policy is contained in three Central Acts, viz. the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985; and the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988. It is the nodal agency for drug law enforcement in India. It was established in 1986 to coordinate drug law enforcement efforts across the country. The multiplicity of stakeholders in drug law enforcement has necessitated coordination among various agencies on a real-time basis. The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a four-tier coordination mechanism to enhance coordination among stakeholders across the country from grassroots to top level and to tackle the drug menace effectively. Apex NCORD, Executive NCORD, State NCORD, and District CORD are the four pillars of the mechanism. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) provides financial assistance to NGOs and voluntary organizations for the maintenance of Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Drug Addicts (IRCAs). These centers provide comprehensive rehabilitation services to individuals with substance abuse disorders. MoSJE launched NAPDDR for 2018-2025. The scheme aims to reduce the adverse consequences of drug abuse through a multi-pronged strategy.
The government should take measures to strengthen law enforcement agencies involved in drug control, including Customs, the Narcotics Control Bureau, and state police forces. This may include providing them with better training, technology, and resources. Socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education may contribute to drug abuse and trafficking. Therefore, the government can address these issues with poverty reduction measures, employment generation schemes, and increasing access to education. Community-based prevention programs, education, and awareness campaigns can be undertaken to reduce the demand for drugs. A holistic and multi-pronged approach is needed to tackle drug abuse that includes prevention, education, treatment, harm reduction, policy reform, and increased community participation. Collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, NGOs, and the community is essential to reduce the impact of drug abuse in India.
