Drug Abuse and Trafficking – Causes, Effect and Prevention

Most of the countries including India are affected by the narcotics problem either as source regions or as transit regions or as markets for narcotic drugs.  The drug trafficking scenario in India is largely attributed to various external and internal factors.  One of the prime external factors happens to be India’s close proximity to the major Opium producing regions of South West and South-East Asia known as the ‘Golden Crecent’ and the ‘Golden Triangle’, respectively.  The geographical location of India as such, makes it vulnerable to transit, trafficking and consumption of Opium derivatives in various forms along the known trafficking routes.

The spread and entrenchment of drug abuse has led to a detrimental impact on youths in Indian society.  Increase in violence and crime is the direct impact of drug abuse.  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.  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

Stress and depression among adults and young persons are regarded as important causes for drug addiction.  Youngsters try to temporarily forget their problems by consuming drugs and feel happy in short spells.  Peer pressure is also often considered as one of the causes for drug addiction among youngsters.  Children try to copy their friends and develop certain habits to impress others.  Even products like eraser and thinner are consumed by children to feel exuberant.  These habits, especially continuous use of drugs may lead to drug addiction.

Effects of Drug Abuse:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines substance abuse as harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs.  The effects of substance abuse on youth mainly are;

1. 1. Health issues as drugs infiltrate lot of diseases in to the human body and may even lead to death.
   2. Financial losses, as drugs are costly and addicted person has to buy these drugs at any cost to survive.
   3. Drug addiction may also lead to adverse social impact in the form of disruption in family life. Women who are not drug abusers may be affected by problems related to drug abusing men. The problems of male partners may affect women in the form of difficulties in interpersonal relationships, instability, violence, child abuse, economic insecurity, deprivation of schooling and risk of sexually transmitted disease, including HIV infection.

Preventive Measures to Combat Drug Abuse:

In order to effectively prevent and combat the menace of narcotic drug abuse there is a need to evolve effective strategies in the form of Governmental and societal interventions.  Government of Karnataka especially, Police Department in recent times have taken measures to detect and prosecute criminals who are involved in drug trafficking.  More than 12,000 cases have been booked all over the State under NDPS Act 1985 during the last two years.  This huge number of cases itself show the growing menace of drug trafficking and illicit consumption of drugs among vulnerable youth.

While developing effective strategies to combat drug trafficking and drug abuse, law enforcement agencies should work towards;

• • Enhancing understanding of the legal aspects related to global drug situation, including emerging trends and challenges.
  • Promoting cooperation and collaboration among government departments in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
  • Identifying effective prevention strategies and promoting evidence-based interventions.
  • Exploring comprehensive approaches to treatment, rehabilitation and harm reduction.

Apart from Government agencies, civil society can play an important role in preventing narcotic drug abuse.  The following community related activities can be taken up;

1. 1. Awareness programmes for students in educational institutions to make healthy choices in life and to stay away from drugs.
   2. Awareness regarding harmful effects of narcotic substances can be imparted at youth clubs and associations.
   3. Role models such as sports persons or film actors can be roped in to inspire youth to take up healthy habits and avoid destructive and harmful peer groups.
   4. Religious heads from the community will have positive impact to mould behavioural patterns of people in the society.
   5. Parents should monitor the kind of friends of their children and guide them against the bad company.
   6. A mechanism to obtain consent of a doctor for continuous purchase of any soft drug should be evolved.
   7. Use of social media is a powerful tool to enhance awareness on ill effects of narcotic substances.
   8. Recognition and financial support of NGOs who can monitor and provide rehabilitation for people who are addicted to drugs.

Illicit Drug Traffic is a crime which affects not only an individual, but has ramifications across an entire society.  It has potential to destroy an entire generation.  Collaborative efforts by State agencies and civil society can help to root out the menace of drug trafficking and drug abuse.