DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA

AN ASSIGNMENT SUBMITTED TO THE

GOVERNMENT LAW COLLEGE,

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIRMENTS

FOR THE SEMESTER-II

Subject: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Submitted to

Submitted by

JUNE-2021
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GOVERNMENT LAW COLLEGE,

Course/ Semester : 1st YEAR

Topic : DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA

Subject :

Project Student Remarks Marks

Submission date Signature

Faculty Signature
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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the work reported in this project report entitled submitted at
Government Law College, is an outcome of my work carried out under the supervision
of . I have duly acknowledged all the sources from which the ideas and extract have been
taken. To the best of my understanding, the project is free from any plagiarism issue.

Government Law College,

S.No. CONTENT Page No.

1. ABSTRACT 05

2. INTRODUCTION 06

3. AIM 06

4. OBJECTIVES 06

5. DRUG ABUSE 07

6. CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS 08

7. TYPES OF ADDICTIVE DRUGS 09

8. PATTERNS OF DRUG ABUSE 10

9. CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE 11

10. SIGN AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICATION 12

11. IMPLICATION OF DRUG ABUSE 12

12. RISK FACTORS 13

13. DRUG ABUSE AND IMPACT ON CHILDREN AND ADULTS 14

14. DRUG ABUSE AMONG WOMEN 15

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15. DISEASES CAUSED DUE TO USE OF DRUGS 16

16. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 19

17. ACCIDENTS DUE TO DRUG ABUSE 20

18. SUICIDES BY DRUG ADDICTS 21

19. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES 22

20. LEGAL BODIES THAT ENFORCES DRUGS REGULATIONS 23

21. LAWS THAT GOVERNS THE DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA 23

22. DRUG EDUCATION 32

23. REHABILITATION 34

24. TREATMENT METHODS 34

25. ROLE OF MEDIA 35

26. PREVENTITIVE MEASURES 36

27. CURRENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES 39

28. CONCLUSION 42

29. BIBLIOGRAPHY 42
DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA
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ABSTRACT
This paper instigates on effectiveness of prevention and early intervention in order to control the
problem of drug abuse. We all need to focus strictly on this important matter now. In India drug abuse is
big problem it creates branches of problems like poverty, unemployment, irresponsibility towards
family. If any problem is discussed, we are getting two things in our mind usually those are causes and
its solution. Causes of drug abuse can be categorized in three ways social, economic and mental causes.
At present we have various laws to prevent drug abuse but there is lack of implementation in it. Social
responsibility is also important to curb the problem of drug abuse.
This paper attempts to suggest social as well as legal responsibilities to curb drug abuse.
At our individual level we should contribute effectively in eradicating this problem. School-based
prevention and skill-training interventions are effective tools to reduce substance use among adolescents.
Also there is a major responsibility on parents to talk to their children and shape up their minds
positively. Parental control including a healthy home environment is a must for controlling drug
addiction. Government should set targets to reduce the drug-abuse levels. It should ensure that efficient
preventive measures are been taken. The central and state government can take steps to control drug
abuse by way of counseling, identification, treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts. Taxation, public
consumption bans, restriction on advertisements, and minimum legal age for consumption, are effective
measures to reduce drug abuse. There should be a proper management to solve this problem of drug
abuse.

INTRODUCTION
Drug Abuse is one of the banes of modern society. It has hit all regions and all sections of our society. It
is found in rural and urban areas, among poor and the rich, among the men and women, among young or
old. At present, drug abuse is being seen as a complex problem because it is internally linked with other
serious crimes such as organized crimes, human trafficking and money laundering. Drug abuse is a
process of misuse of drug through various ways, addicts are using substance which is easily available
like cough syrups, pain killer ointments, glue, colophony, paints, gasoline and cleaning fluids. Whitener,
alcohol, tobacco, hard and soft drugs is commonly being used by street and working children. But it is
most overwhelmingly practiced by young boys and girls especially in hostels and in almost all

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 8
educational and technical institutions. Thus drug abuse is there in almost all the countries of the world.
Day by day alcohol

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
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is becoming increasingly available and is used widely. Addiction has become really a curse upon human
beings. It affects not only the drug addicts but also others directly or indirectly. For common people, it is
a weakness of character. A moral theologian may see it as a matter of vice while as sociologists see it as
a social problem. It is considered sin by religious people and as a crime by law enforcement groups. The
psychiatrist can describe it as a personality disorder problem. The alcoholic’s anonymous groups and the
treatment centres call them patients and alcoholism is handled as a disease. People all over the world
want to eradicate the adverse situation of drug addiction from this world.
There are various agencies working to eradicate this social evil but they lack in their
working to solve this problem. They need to be more sensitive towards this problem. Besides,
other non- government organizations and media should come forward to create awareness against drug
abuse. The role of law in drug control should be made wider to protect individuals from harming
themselves by use of drug and from causing secondary harm to another. There are many reasons to make
Drug Abuse as an illegal activity, some of them are – Abuse of drug is injurious to health which can take
the life of a person and it is very important to make aware to young people to the danger of misuse of
drug. It may be a cause of various disease like HIV/AIDS, heart attack, cancer etc. This paper is
focusing on various aspects of drug abuse like forms of drug abuse, causes of drug abuse and trying to
provide suggestions to curb the problem. Beside these problems and preventive measures we are still
facing the problem of drug abuse, so there is a need of study on drug abuse.

AIM
The aim of the study to know about the prevalence and pattern of drug abuse among the general
population. To know about prevalence of various licit and illicit drugs used. To improve the anti-drug
education. Also to know about the Statutory provisions prevailing to control drug abuse.

OBJECTIVES
 Determine the impact of drug use
 Causes of drug abuse
 Effects of drug use on individual and their families
 Development of laws related to drug abuse

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
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 Role of media and government in curbing drug abuse

 Improvement on rehabilitation measured.
DRUG ABUSE
Drug abuse is also known as substance abuse and can be defined as a patterned use of a drug in which
the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to them or others. The
initial decision of drug taking is voluntary but repeated uses leads to its addiction. Addiction of any form
is dangerous. Most illicit use of drugs starts at the age of 16-17 years of age. It starts with merely
smoking of cigarettes and gradually drowns the person into the trap of drug abuse. Stress, anxiety, peer
pressure, poverty are some of the main causes of drug abuse. when an individual persists in use of
alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance, substance dependence may be
diagnosed.
Drugs are chemical substances. Pharmaceutical preparation or a naturally occurring substance
used primarily to bring about a change in the existing process or state (physiological, psychological or
biochemical) can be called a drug. In other words, any chemical that alters the physical or mental
functioning of an individual is a drug. Drugs, by interaction change the biochemical systems of the body.
If a drug alters sensory perceptions, mood, thought process, feelings or behaviour it is known as a
psychoactive drug. Pharmacology is that branch of science, which investigates drug actions. Certain
drugs are legally permitted and at the same time others are illegal. Alcohol and tobacco are legally
permitted as certain drugs for medication. However, medically used drugs can also be abused. The drugs
are taken for reasons other than medical, in an amount, strength, frequency manner that damages the
physical or mental functioning of an individual and is called as 'Drug abuse'. Its use leads to addiction,
which develops tolerance and dependence while others cause both physical and psychological
dependence.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 11
As the statistical data shows, Kerala which holds good record in almost every component of Human
Development Index, very unexpectedly has drug-related suicide rate ten times higher than that of
Punjab.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 12

The unfortunate statistics call for a dire need for prevention of Drug Abuse. A solution-centric approach
is required instead of problem-centric. What has led to such a grave problem is easy hand on addictive
materials. Over-the-Counter availability of medicines is also a triggering point. There are people, mostly
in north India, who are surviving on drugs. These people have taken refuge on the roads and railway
platforms. Many rickshaw pullers use the money they earn during day to have drugs in the evening or
night. They prefer drugs over food, which is a pathetic truth.

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS
Now a days different classification systems of drugs exist. Broadly speaking it can be divided into two
major groups –
 Legal drugs
 Illegal drugs
Legal drugs
Legal Drugs are those drugs which are manufactured, produced, bought and sold within the confines of
the law. Drugs like aspirin cough syrups, laxatives, antacids, vitamins and certain contraceptives etc. are
legal drugs, which can be obtained without a prescription from the physician. These non-prescription
drugs are used for hunger control, sedation, stimulation, dandruff, constipation, relief etc. and are
produced and marketed for billions of dollars throughout the world.
Drugs and medications dispensed by pharmacists on prescriptions given by doctors and dentist are called
prescription drugs. They include analgesics, contraceptives, antibiotics, medicated shampoos, stimulants,
sedatives, antidepressants, anaesthetics etc. At the same time many psychoactive prescription drugs like
amphetamines, barbiturates, narcotics etc. are abused to alter the state of consciousness and sensitivity to
pain etc. Huge quantities of alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea are used, abused and misused as social
drugs. They are legally available psychoactive drugs. Thus these are divided into 3 categories:
(a) Non-prescription drugs
(b) Prescriprion drugs
(c) Social drugs – nicotine, caffeine and alcohol

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 13

Illegal drugs
Illegal drugs are those, which are not used legally but are abused. Largely it can be further divided into
two according to its potentiality to produce high and low dependence:
 The amphetamines, cocaine, the depressants and the narcotics etc. produce high dependency.
 Marijuana and other hallucinogens produces low dependency.
IllegaI drugs are varying in nature according to their ability to produce clinical dependency. Heroin,
cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturate etc. are strongly dependence producing drugs. At the same time
Marijuana, LSD, Psilocylin etc. are weekly dependence producing drugs.

TYPES OF ADDICTIVE DRUGS

Addictive Drugs are divided according to its nature, origin, mechanism of action and effects. They are
studied under various categories:
Narcotic Analgesics
In Greek, the prefix ‘narco’ means to deaden or to be numb. Analgesic means 'pain killing' or 'pain
relieving'. These drugs slow down a person and create feelings of euphoria. Dentists and doctors mostly
prescribe these as painkillers. Codeine. Morphine, Percodan etc. are important among them. Some
illegal drugs like Heroin and Brown sugar are narcotics. Medically the term 'narcotic' signifies opium
and opium derivatives or synthetic products that have opium-like effects. They arc rather painkillers
with high addictive nature.
Stimulants:
Chemicals and drugs which temporarily stimulate mind and body and excite or speed up the central
nervous system, are called stimulants. Substances that people take to attain extraordinary powers of'
mind and body are called "pep" pills. These are called "uppers" because they lift the person up from
despair and despondency and give them mental balance, exhilaration and a super sensual feeling of
happiness. Stimulants are available in the form of pills and are prescribed by doctors. But young men
misuse them for getting a kind of intoxication and ecstasy feeling. Commonly used stimulants are
Nicotine and Caffeine. The active and powerful stimulants are Cocaine and Amphetamines. The younger
generation is badly attracted to these drugs. 'They reach the brain through blood and upset the nervous
system.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 14

Depressants:
Depressants at times called "downers", depress or slow down the functions of mind and especially the
central nervous system, the heart beat and respiration. People resort to chemicals to have relaxation,
calmness and proper sleep.
Cannabis:
Cannabis is the term, which refers to marijuana and other drugs, produced from Indian limp-plant,
cannabis sativa. It has been cultivated for centuries in different parts of the world for its tough fibre of
the stem, for the oil in its seed, and for its psychoactive properties. More than 60 cannabinoids can he
prepared from cannabis plant, the important drug under this category are charas (Hashish),
Ganja(Marijauna), Bhaang etc.

PATTERNS OF DRUG ABUSE

1. Hard drug use: Hard drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, tend to be the most
dangerous, both in terms of their effects on health and behavior as well as the risk of addiction. While
some individuals use these drugs recreationally, addiction can set in after just one use, setting into
motion a rapid downward spiral. Once a person has escalated to the use of hard drugs, they often engage
in high- risk behavior, isolate themselves from friends and family, and live outside society.
2. Frequent drug use: By itself, frequency of drug use is not the most accurate way to determine
whether someone is addicted. However, frequent drug use can be an indicator of tolerance (needing
more of a drug to get the same high) and dependence. There is also a good chance that someone who
uses drugs or alcohol regularly will continue using and have difficulty quitting.
3. Early drug use: People who begin using drugs in early adolescence are highly vulnerable to drug
problems in adulthood. One study found that people who started drinking before age 15 were more
likely to become addicted to alcohol as adults than people who refrained from drinking until they were
18 or older. The earlier a child uses drugs, the earlier they become addicted. Since their brains and
bodies are still developing during that time, the short- and long-term consequences may be particularly
severe.
4. Solitary drug use: Using drugs alone has been linked to addiction and other problems later in life.
Teens who use marijuana and other drugs while alone are more likely to have drug problems as young
adults, are less likely to graduate from college and are more likely to report poor physical health by age
Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 15

23 than social drug users. Solitary users also earned lower grades and engaged in violent or delinquent
behavior more often.
5. Escapist drug use: The reasons why someone uses drugs or alcohol can be as problematic as where,
when or how. If a person uses drugs to cope with stress, build self-esteem or medicate an underlying
mental health disorder such as depression or anxiety, they are at higher risk of eventually becoming
addicted. Research has also shown that the risk of drug use increases significantly when teens use
substances to deal with stress or boredom.

CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE

There are various causes of drug abuse in India, it can be categorized as social, economic and mental
causes. These causes are mentioned as below:
Social Causes
In social causes we can discuss about all those social problems which are the basic causes of drug abuse.
A poor relationship with parents is responsible for drug abuse among children, in most of the families
we can see a huge lack of communication between child and parents and these things leads the child
towards drug abuse. Sometimes we can see it become trend among friends to take drugs by influence of
those friends who are usually taking drugs. Drug users are taking drugs because it is easily available, we
can see in border area the people are taking drugs in a large scale because it is easily available in those
areas. Few of drug users are taking drugs because of their atmosphere, usually we can see it in those
people who are growing up in a home where alcohol and drug abuse is considered as a normal behavior.
Nowadays people are engaged in love affairs, the loss of a loved one and depression attracts a man more
and more to the misuse of a substance. Unusual life style is also responsible for drug abuse, usually it is
found in sex workers, transportation workers and street children.
Economic Cause
In India poverty is a curse because it creates various problems one of them is drug abuse, financial
worries leads people towards drug abuse because of mental pressure.
People are producing narcotic drugs to increase income, so production of narcotic drugs is responsible
for misuse of drugs.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 16

Mental Causes
There are mental causes which leads a person towards drug abuse situation of sadness, depression and
stress are common causes for drug abuse.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICTION
Addiction to any drug may include these general characteristics:
• Feeling that one needs the drug on a regular basis to have fun, relax or deal with your problems;
• Giving up familiar activities such as sports, homework, or hobbies;
• Sudden changes in work or school attendance and quality of work or grades;
• Doing things one normally wouldn’t do to obtain drugs, such as frequently borrowing money or
stealing items from employer, home or school;
• Taking uncharacteristic risks, such as driving under the influence or sexually risky behaviour;
• Anger outbursts, acting irresponsibly and overall attitude change;
• Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming;
• Wearing sunglasses and/or long sleeve shirts frequently or at inappropriate times;
• No longer spending time with friends who don't use drugs and/or associating with known users;
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviours such as frequent trips to storage rooms, restroom,
basement, etc;
• Needing to use more of the drug of choice to achieve the same effects;
• Talking about drugs all the time and pressuring others to use with him;
• Feeling exhausted, depressed, hopeless, or suicidal.

IMPLICATIONS OF DRUG ABUSE

• Risk to personal safety (danger of death or injury by overdose, accident or aggression)
• Damage to health (including brain damage, liver failure, mental problems etc.)
• Legal consequences (risk of imprisonment, fines and criminal record).
• Destructive behaviour (harm to self, family and friends).
• Drug dependency is also a common cause of financial problems and difficulties at work or school.
• People may lie or steal in order to continue using the drug, as a result, and may lose the trust of their
friends and family.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 17

• They may feel shame and guilt, due to repeated failures in trying to control their drug intake.

RISK FACTORS
Substance abuse is a complicated disorder and has many consequences. The victim of drug abuse
extends from the ones suffering from this disorder and it further extends to family and the community.
The abuser has to be seen as a drug dependent person in need of help. This makes it possible to see the
person affected by drugs as victim who can be cured and not an offender, the layers of stigma which an
addict faces in various phases which leads to victimization of the abuser.
Victim of loss of health (physiological & psychological): The harm caused by drugs is not only
because of the type of substance used but is also the way it is consumed. The combination of the type of
substance abused and the way it is consumed causes harm to an individual. Substances can be
administered in the body through different media such as oral ingestion, intravenous, snorting When
these substances enter the body, it leads to a number of physiological and psychological changes. These
changes are the reason of dependency of people on the substance leading to addiction. Continuous and
excessive abuse leads to complicated health problems and in many cases, these diseases prove to be fatal
to the human life. Apart from drugs such as heroin, cocaine etc daily usable items such as paint thinner,
buttons, ink whitener, Iodex and more such are used as an alternative drugs especially those who can’t
afford to purchase the mainstream drugs. These cause the equal amount of dependency than any other
kind of synthesized substance leading to addiction among the youth. Another major health concern is the
spread of HIV through intravenous abuse of drugs. The virus is spread by sexual intercourse,
contaminated blood (e.g. during transfusions), mother to-child transmission during the prenatal period
and use of contaminated syringes and injection equipment. Drugs when injected intravenously with the
same syringe which is normally shared among the abusers in a group gives rise to the threat of spread of
HIV which may lead to AIDS.
Victim of loss on employment/economic factors: Drug abuse leads to a lot of economic instability
among the families of the abuser. This happens by the process of over spending on the substance. After
the abuser gets deeply into the act, he/she tends to move away from the job and his/her workplace. Low
performance at work due to excessive substance abuse leads to lowering of the earning of the individual.
The individual may also lose the job due to the performance at work place. This affects the family’s

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 18

economic stability and causes the family member to resort to other methods of earning. The abuser too,
in orders to gain more substance but has no money to buy it, resorts to crimes of theft, stealing and
burglary in turn making him/her into a criminal.
Victim of loss of Family and Community: Family is the basic unit of any society. When families are
broken down, it indicates the loss of a social life which in turn leads to the disruption of a society as a
whole. Over use or abuse of illicit or licit substances by individuals in families can affect the families in
major ways thus breaking down the basic structure of the society.
DRUG ABUSE AND IMPACT ON CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Children and extended family members are also victims of drug abuse, or at least be significantly
affected. As a general rule, these people especially children, have a greater likelihood of having
emotional troubles compared to children who grew up in sober homes. Early exposure to an drug abuser
can also increase the child’s propensity to have a problematic relationship with drug. In general, children
of individuals who abuse alcohol are four times more likely to abuse alcohol themselves. Children are in
a unique position in relation to a parent or caregiver who abuses alcohol. The drinking is most often a
source of detachment from children. Children will notice radical changes in behavior, such as parent
turning from happy to angry, and may falsely believe that they are the cause of these mood swings. Self
blame, guilt, frustration, and anger can emerge as the child tries to understand why the parent acts this
way. Naturally, the incidence of drug abuse in children and adolescents is higher than the general
population. Drug abuse among youth is generally associated with particular youth subcultures and
lifestyles. In developing countries like India, by the time they reach adolescence, the young people are
already exposed to various stresses such as competition in the fields of education and employment
likewise, alongside changing roles in the family and society, new-found responsibilities, and a changing
identity, physically, mentally, and emotionally. During this phase of transition, adolescents achieve
developmental milestones from dependence to independence. Due to rapid physiological development
during puberty, there is fast growth which can affect cognitive reasoning, emotional regulation, and risk-
taking behavior. Adolescents progress through a phase with tremendous opportunity for access to drugs.
They are exposed to many drugs, especially those easily available drugs such as cannabis, tobacco, and
alcohol.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 19

Prevention efforts begin with the focus on the risk factors to avoid later substance use
problems. In view of the available evidence to prevent and treat substance use in adolescents, following
factors should be kept in mind:

 Most evidence for effective interventions to reduce use, problematic use, and harm is for alcohol
use – the most used substance, contributing to a large public health burden in young people
 There is not much information on effective intervention in adolescent tobacco users. Tobacco
becomes a key health issue later in life; long-term follow-up studies are required
 A structural policy intervention (taxation, legal age limit control) could be most effective. These
approaches are not available for illicit drugs. Innovations are required in preventive approaches
for illicit drugs and research is needed to identify individualized strategies to reduce the use and
harms associated with illicit drug use in adolescents.

Adolescence represents an important phase of life during which substance use behaviors become
established. To prevent these behaviors from occurring, it is important to reduce the escalation to heavy
drug use and intervene to address the established problematic substance use.
With the fast growing newer technologies and communication systems, it is clear that innovations need
to be tailored for delivery of the services to individuals and for identification of new responses to
emerging psychoactive substances. Computer-delivered and mobile phone interventions to reduce
substance use in adolescents are appealing because they allow users to manage the pace of intervention,
ensure privacy, and have wider reach at a low cost.

DRUG ABUSE AMONG WOMEN

Women typically begin using substances later than men and that substance use by women is strongly
influenced by intimate partners who also use drugs. Women overall may be less likely than men to
develop drug-use disorders and dependence. Once they have initiated substance use, women tend to
increase their rate of consumption of alcohol, cannabis, opioids and cocaine more rapidly than men.
Women encounter significant systemic, structural, social, cultural and personal barriers in accessing
substance abuse treatment. Women with substance-use disorders tend to have a history of over
responsibility in their families of origin and have experienced more disruptions and report more
interpersonal conflicts in the family than their
Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 20

male counterparts, particularly issues related to parenting and exposure to childhood and adult trauma.
Women with substance-use disorders may come from families where one or more family members is
also drug dependent and may have suffered victimization and injury. Many women identify relationship
problems as a cause for their substance use. In addition, psychiatric co-morbidities, especially mood and
anxiety disorders, are reported to be higher among women.

DISEASES CAUSED DUE TO USE OF DRUGS

Tobacco/Cigarette Smoking

Tobacco has been described by who as “the single greatest cause of preventable disease in the developed
world” it has been universally regarded that tobacco is one of the major health hazards and is responsible
directly or indirectly for an estimated 8 lakh deaths annually in the country. It has also been found that
tobacco related diseases and the loss of productivity caused therein cost the country (Rs 18,500 crore
annually) much more than all the benefits accruing in the form of revenue and employment generated .

Tobaccocausescancerlungs,mouth,throat,larynx,esophagus,stomach,colon,rectum,pancreas,liver,kidneys,
bladder,Cervix,Blood.Tobacco smoke contains hundreds of harmful chemicals and causes cancer. Once
ingested, the toxic effects of tobacco smoke can potentially damage every organ system in the body,
which explains the vast variety of cancers triggered by use of the substance. Cigarettes are not the only
method to confer these health dangers. You are also at risk if you use

• Smokeless tobacco like chew, snuff, or snus.

• Pipes.
• Cigars.
• Hookahs.

There are 4000 chemicals, 200 of which are poison and 69 certified carcinogens in tobacco. When you
smoke, these toxic chemicals pass through your lungs and are absorbed into your bloodstream and
carried around your body. Every cigarette you smoke is an elaborate chemical factory, designed to cause
damage

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 21

and affect every organ in your body. Toxic gases damage the cilia, while Tar, the solid particle in
tobacco smoke coats your lungs like soot in a chimney. Some chemicals in your cigarette are:

Ammonia – commonly used in toilet cleaners.

Cyanide – used as rat poison.
Formal de hyde – used in laboratories for preservation of dead specimens.
Nicotine – “the Hook”, habit forming, addictive drug
Smoking also causes other diseases:
1. Coronary heart disease and stroke.
2. Respiratory illness including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, bronchitis and
emphysema.
3. Infertility of both men and women. Damages blood vessels in the penis, which may make men
impotent.
4. Smoking places women at the risk of developing cancer of uterus, vulva, and liver. colon, gastric
ulcers, breast cancer. Smoking is a known risk factor of osteoporosis.
5. Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) – Poor circulation leads to gangrene
6. Increased risk of cataract and age related macular degeneration (a common cause of blindness)
7. Nicotine in cigarettes increase heart rate and blood pressure, Heart works much harder and needs
more oxygen.
8. The Carbon mono oxide in tobacco competes with the oxygen in the blood. Smokers have 10 times
more CO in the blood. Thus the rhythm of the heart is affected.
9. Chemicals in smoke change the blood making it thicker and stickier and more likely to clot.
Passive Smoking
Smokers not only put themselves at risk of serious health problems, people around them are also
exposed to the toxic chemicals in tobacco. There are 3 different types of tobacco smoke:

1. Mainstream smoke-smoke directly inhaled by smoker

2. Exhaled mainstream smoke-smoke breathed out

3. Side stream smoke-smoke drifting from burning end of cigarette.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 22

There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke.If you are a non-smoker being exposed to tobacco
smoke is dangerous. Passive smoking is linked to lung cancer, breast cancer, nasal sinus cancer, heart
disease, stroke, lung disease and asthma. Passive smoking during pregnancy increases risk of SIDS
(sudden infant death syndrome) and miscarriage and effects baby’s birth weight and development of
infant lungs.Babies and children exposed to smoke are at risk of childhood cancers, middle ear
infections, decreased lung function, onset of asthma, bronchitis. It is estimated that tobacco smoke
causes 450,000 lower respiratory tract infections in infants & young children. Needing 25,000
hospitalizations. Children of parents who smoke are more likely to try cigarettes in their teenage years
and become regular smokers. Parents are role models for their children.

Alcohol

According to the National Cancer Institute, about 3.5% of cancer deaths are caused by heavy alcohol
use. The risk of developing cancer from drinking alcohol increases with: Higher volume use, Use over a
long period. Heavy alcohol use is linked to higher levels of Liver cancer, Esophageal cancer, Head and
neck cancers, especially of the mouth, throat, and voice box, Breast cancer. In the body, heavy use of
alcohol is known to cause cancer in several ways including the following :

• As the body processes alcohol, it becomes acetaldehyde – a fleeting, yet highly toxic carcinogen
capable of damaging genetic material and causing cellular injury.
• Through a process called oxidation, alcohol triggers increased production of free radicals that
damage DNA, proteins, and fats.
• Alcohol increases the levels of estrogen in the blood, which is linked to an increased risk of
certain types of breast cancer.
• Alcohol hinders the body’s natural capacity for converting and absorbing helpful nutrients like
folate (which may lower the risk of certain cancers).
• Drinking alcohol adds excess calories to the diet, increasing the risk of obesity, another risk
factor for cancer.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 23

Marijuana/Ganja

Though marijuana is commonly seen as safe and is increasingly legalized, it may be a factor in the
development of certain cancers. There have been reports of increased incidents of cancers of the lungs,
head, neck, and respiratory tract as a result of carcinogens and toxins. Marijuana use also increases the
risk of testicular cancer, especially in younger people. The evidence shows that males who smoke
marijuana during adolescence have greater chances of developing a specific type of testicular cancer
called non-seminomatous germ cell tumor. Studies indicate that marijuana smoke may contain a
testicular carcinogen.

DOMESTICVIOLENCE
Domestic violence has often been linked to substance use, especially the use of alcohol. The instances of
domestic violence may vary over time, and can involve physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Such
violence may include instances like hurting the spouse under intoxication, or snatching the
money/jewelry for the continuation of the substance taking behavior. Meta-analytic studies have found
that the alcohol use disorder has been consistently associated with intimate partner violence. Such
violence has been linked to heavier alcohol use in the husband, more frequent alcohol use and greater
the severity of the alcohol use disorder. The overall effect sizes have been small to medium, suggesting
that may other factors may play a role in mediating the relationship between alcohol use and domestic
violence. Data from India also suggests that alcohol use has been associated with spousal violence. The
National Family and Health Survey III, a nationally representative study that surveyed about 70,000
women aged between 15 and 49 years found that 31% of the women experienced physical violence.
Logistic regression analysis found that husband's alcohol use was associated with greater odds of
reported violence among the women. Findings from the urban slum and economically poor areas also
suggest that spousal violence was more common in families where the husband used or abused alcohol.
The cultural context varies with respect to the manifestations of alcohol associated domestic violence.
Apart from dowry issues, husband's drunkenness has been reported to be associated with domestic
violence toward the spouses in India. In addition, many

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 24

other factors including economic pressures and inter-generational exposure to violence have been to be
associated..

Various theoretical models have been proposed to explain the association between
alcohol use and interpersonal violence. The first model is of spurious association which suggests that
both alcohol use and violence are independent of each other and are associated with other common risk
factors like age and other deviant behaviors. The second model of indirect effects suggests that alcohol
use has a causal relationship with domestic violence mediated through marital conflict and
dissatisfaction. The third, proximal effects model suggests that alcohol intoxication facilitates aggression
through distorted perception of cues and lowering of inhibitions. Over time, more evidence has gathered
for the indirect effects and the proximal effects models. Violence was associated with older age of the
husband, lower education, unemployment of either spouse,lower family income and a nuclear family
structure

ACCIDENTS DUE TO DRUG ABUSE

India reported the highest number of road traffic crashes, related injuries, and deaths among all countries
in the world. Drugged driving puts the driver, passengers, and others who share the road at serious risk.
A significant proportion of injured or killed road users in India had used alcohol before the accident. The
driving performance is easily impaired as a consequence of the use of alcohol and/or licit and illicit
drugs. After alcohol, marijuana is the drug most often found in the blood of drivers involved in
crashes. The effects of specific drugs on driving skills differ depending on how they act in the brain. For
example, marijuana can slow reaction time, impair judgment of time and distance, and decrease
coordination. Drivers who have used cocaine or methamphetamine can be aggressive and reckless when
driving. Certain kinds of prescription medicines, including benzodiazepines and opioids, can cause
drowsiness, dizziness, and impair cognitive functioning (thinking and judgment). All of these effects can
lead to vehicle crashes. Driving license should not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers who
are dependent on psychotropic substances or use them regularly.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 25

SUICIDES BY DRUG ADDICTS

Suicides due to ‘Drug abuse / Addiction’, ‘Failure in Examination’, ‘Family Problems’, 'Physical Abuse
(Rape, incest) and ‘Professional/carrier problems’ is increasing nowadays. Prevention of suicide requires
an individualized comprehensive assessment and management plan aimed at substance use and
psychiatric disorders. This would involve a multidisciplinary collaboration and use of pharmacological,
psychological and social interventions. Suicide is ending one's life intentionally. To be classified as
suicide, an act of killing oneself must be deliberately initiated and performed by the person concerned in
the full knowledge or expectation of its fatal outcome. It is estimated that deliberate self-harm. Suicide is
a major contributor to mortality due to substance abuse. Adolescent drug use is also associated with an
increased risk for depression and suicidal behaviour. Depression is associated with a higher prevalence
of substance use . Adolescents with depression are also more likely to develop substance abuse problems
at an earlier age . Co-morbidity of substance use and depression is associated with an increase in the rate
of suicide among adolescents .Alcohol and substance abuse problems contribute to suicidal behavior in
several ways. Persons who are dependent on substances often have a number of other risk factors for
suicide. In addition to being depressed, they are also likely to have social and financial problems.
Substance use and abuse can be common among persons prone to be impulsive, and among persons who
engage in many types of high risk behaviors that result in self-harm. Fortunately, there are a number of
effective prevention efforts that reduce risk for substance abuse in youth, and there are effective
treatments for alcohol and substance use problems. Researchers are currently testing treatments
specifically for persons with substance abuse problems who are also suicidal, or have attempted suicide
in the past.

In the year 2010, there were 3,343 cases of suicides that were reported under this category.
After an increase in the next two subsequent years, the number of suicides with drug abuse/alcohol
addiction as the cause fell in the year 2014. However, in the ensuing years, the numbers have gradually
increased with 7,860 suicides being reported under this category in 2019. The greatest increase in the
numbers has been recorded in both 2016 and 2017. More than 95% of those committed suicide with this
cause were Male. Among the mega cities, Chennai and Bengaluru have the highest number of cases. In
2019, Chennai reported 329 suicides due to Drug abuse/alcohol addiction, followed by Bengaluru with

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 26
143 cases. While Chennai has been consistently at the top over the five-year period between 2015 and

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 27

2019, Bengaluru has witnessed a substantial increase in the number of suicides. Meanwhile, the numbers
are relatively lower in the other large Cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Pune & Kolkata, with Hyderabad and
Ahmedabad recording much lower numbers, mostly in single digits.
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

The Government of India is tackling the issue of drugs through its two pronged strategy viz. supply
reduction and demand reduction. Supply reduction falls under the purview of the enforcement agencies.
The demand reduction strategy is in the domain of social sector. Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment in the Government of India is responsible for implementation of demand reduction
activities in the country. The main strategy is to empower the society and the community to deal with the
problem of drug abuse. The approach is to recognise drug abuse as a psycho-socio medical problem,
which can be best handled through community based interventions of three different levels.

Primary Prevention : Keeping healthy by encouraging drug abstinence and alcohol moderation.

Secondary Prevention : Facilitating the process of behaviour change of high-risk individuals by

themselves; early identification of troubled people; counselling and early assistance.

Tertiary Prevention : Treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration of recovering addicts into the
mainstream.For the purpose of drug demand reduction, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
has been implementing the Scheme of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse since
1985-
86. The Scheme was revised thrice in 1994, 1999 and 2008, and at present provides financial support to
NGOs and other eligible organisations mainly for the following objectives :
(a) To create awareness and educate people about the ill-effects of alcoholism and substance abuse on
the individual, the family, the workplace and society at large.

(b) To provide for the whole range of community based services for the identification, motivation,
counselling, de-addiction, after care and rehabilitation for Whole Person Recovery (WPR) of addicts.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 28

(c) To alleviate the consequences of drug and alcohol dependence amongst the individual, the family
and society at large.

(d) To facilitate research, training, documentation and collection of relevant information to strengthen
the above mentioned objectives.

A comprehensive service delivery mechanism has been set up by the Ministry of Social Justice
and Empowerment, Government of India. A nation-wide network of about 350 NGOs running more than
400 Integrated Rehabilitation and Treatment (IRCA) centers, with the financial assistance of the
Ministry. Works on-premises of effective handling of the psycho-social & medical problem through
community- based intervention. The average bed capacity of de-addiction centers is about 6000 for in-
patient treatment.

LEGAL BODIES THAT ENFORCES DRUGS REGULATIONS

Drug abuse is getting momentum nowadays and also the youth is dropping this addiction, thinking this
as trend is their biggest mistake because it is not affecting themselves rather staking the lives of their
dependents and family. The Government of India is taking very active decisions regarding the restrain of
Drugs trafficking and also to improve the physical and mental strength, so that it will return in the good
contribution for the development of the Indian Society. Following are the legal bodies governing the
drug abuse in the society:

 Narcotics Control Division

 Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)
 The Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB )
 Other Agencies- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Bureau of Investigation, Customs
Commission, Border Security Force.

LAWS THAT GOVERNS THE DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA

In India the drugs abuse was not properly governed, but after 1985, legislature passed Narcotic Drugs

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 29
and Psychotropic Substances Act, (NDPS Act) in 1985. The act was enacted to win the battle against the
Drug

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 30

trafficking. The Indian legislature is constantly trying to eliminate the problem of misuse of drugs by
making the law to achieve the goals of international treaties and conventions under which the India is a
signatory country. These international treaties and conventions are as follows:
1. Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961.
2. Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971.
3. Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
4. Transnational Crime Convention, 2000.
Indian Parliament has enacted two Central
Acts:
1. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and
2. The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.
The use of intoxicated drugs is a serious socio-economic problem in our country. There are legal as well
as constitutional provisions made in India to curb the problem of drug addiction. Article 476 of the
Constitution states that the state shall work towards increasing the level of life and nutrition of its people
and it is the primary duty of the state to improve the public health. State shall prohibit the consumption
of the intoxicated drugs and drinks which are injurious to health except its use for medical purpose. The
Indian Parliament passed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act),
without much debate. The NDPS Act came into force on 14 November 1985, replacing the Opium Acts
and the Dangerous Drugs Act. The 1940 Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, however, continues to apply.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 was passed to curb the problem of drug
abuse and for the implementation of the international treaties and conventions. The act was amended in
1989, 2001 and in 2014. This act prevents merchandise, cultivation, procurement, import Export,
Possession, sale, purchase, utilization and circulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances
except for medical and scientific purposes in accordance with the law. Narcotic drug comprises
cannabis, coca, opium and manufactured drugs.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 defined the term
psychotropic substance as any substance, natural or synthetic, or any natural material or any salt or
preparation of such substance or material included in the list of psychotropic substances specified in the
Schedule. This act provides the provisions for search, forfeiture and capture the persons from any place
in India those are indulge in the drug activities. The hardness of this act proves that if a person is
Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
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 31
caught again in a large

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 32

quantity of narcotics, then there is a provision for death sentence. Although in the case of Harm
Reduction Network v. Union of India, the Bombay High Court ruled that death penalty under Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 is unconstitutional but the Court did not strike down
Section 31-A of this act. It did state that the courts were no longer obligated to hand down the death
penalty for repeat drug offenders under the Act. In the case of E. Michael Raj v. Intelligence Officer,
Narcotic Control Bureau, the Supreme Court 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 substance/s is
not to be taken into consideration while determining the small quantity or commercial quantity of a
narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. It is only the actual content by weight of the narcotic drug
which is relevant for the purposes of determining whether it would constitute small quantity or
commercial quantity. In the case of Abdul Aziz v. State of UP, the court held that if a person arrested
for minor offences under the provisions of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 is
entitled for bail. Section 2(a), 4(2)(d), 7A, 39, 64A, 71, 76(2)(f) and 78(2)(b) of the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 provides the provisions for rehabilitation and the treatment of drug
addicts.
Significant aspects of the NDPS Act
Quantity-based sentencing: The scale of sentencing and fine varies significantly depending on the
substance and quantity found. Consequently, determining the amount of drugs involved in an offence is
vital and much litigation revolves around this question, especially around the terms “mixture”;
“preparation” and “with or without neutral material” that are contained in the law. Since the NDPS Act
does not provide guidance for ascertaining quantity, some courts began to rely on the statutory definition
of drugs, especially those that refer to a numerical percentage (e.g. opium and opium derivatives) to
calculate the quantity involved. This resulted in inconsistent interpretations and conflicting decisions not
just between different classes of drugs but even for the same drug. The ‘purity vs total weight’
controversy waged on even after the Supreme Court held that for drugs mixed with ‘neutral substances’,
only the actual content of the narcotic drug is relevant for determining whether it constitutes a small or
commercial quantity. A year later, the government declared that in calculating the quantity, the total
weight of the seized product must be considered and not the pure drug content. This change is
significantly damaging for people who use drugs and other low level offenders who risk being sentenced
for intermediate or commercial quantity offences, since street drugs are heavily ‘cut’ and rarely ever
Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
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 33
seized in pure forms.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 34

Though lauded as rational and proportionate, quantity-based sentencing makes other vital considerations
like the motive and role of the offender irrelevant. Simple possession attracts the same amount of
punishment as distribution for profit. Another reason for courts to pass uniform sentences for both types
of activities is the inclusion of mandatory minimum sentences, where discretion is allowed only for
enhancing and not reducing the sentence.
Death Penalty: The harshness of the NDPS Act is demonstrated by the inclusion of the death penalty
for certain repeat crimes (production, manufacture, possession, transportation, import and export)
involving a large quantity of drugs.
National Fund: A National Fund for the Control of Drug Abuse was established in May 1989. Rules for
its administration were notified almost twenty years later, in 2006. The fund can receive contributions
from the central government, individual donors and proceeds from the sale of property forfeited from
drug trafficking. Applications are screened by a governing body, which comprises a senior officer and
other members appointed by the government. NGOs and government departments are eligible to make
requests for grants for drug control activities including treatment. Preventive education and awareness
on the ‘ills’ of drug dependence have been prioritized for funding.
Treatment centers: The NDPS Act supports treatment for people who use drugs both as an ‘alternative’
to, and independent of criminal measures. Several provisions stipulated under the Act de-penalize
consumption and offences involving small quantities of drugs, and encourage treatment seeking. ‘De-
addiction’ centers are the mainstay of drug treatment delivery. According to the NDPS Act, these centers
may be set up by the central or state governments or voluntary organizations. Presently, services for
drug dependence are available through:
1. Government hospitals that provide inpatient and outpatient care, mostly detoxification. As per official
statistics, drug treatment is available in 122 government hospitals across the country. The central
government has recently announced plans to open ‘drug treatment clinics’ at some such hospitals and
offer opioid substitution therapy.
2. NGOs, which receive grants from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MOSJE) and
their state counterparts (Departments of Social Welfare) to run integrated rehabilitation centers in order
to make “addicts drug free, crime free and gainfully employed”.Such NGO centers were being funded in
2013-14.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
 35

3. Psychiatric hospitals or nursing homes, operating privately, under license by the Mental Health Act,
1987. These institutions offer a range of psychiatric services besides drug dependence treatment.
4. Private ‘de-addiction’ centers that operate without registration or license. Despite the statutory
responsibility on the government to make rules for the establishment and regulation of treatment centers,
neither the central nor state governments have framed such rules. As a result, a large number of
unauthorized ‘de-addiction’ centers have proliferated to cash in on the desperation of people who use
drugs and their families. Instead of medical care, ‘punishments’ are meted out to patients, inflicting
severe torture and, in some cases, causing death. These incidents have come to light from all across
India, indicating that existing norms around minimum quality standards of care are not being followed.
A legal intervention in 2009 led to the promulgation of NDPS Rules for treatment facilities in Haryana
and Punjab, which inter alia require all drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities to obtain license and
be subject to inspection. The Rules unequivocally support voluntary admission into treatment and
provide for closure and, in some cases, criminal action against centers that operate without a license or
where human rights are violated. Despite the institution of statutory rules, people who use drugs
continue to be detained involuntarily and experience violence, brutality and a host of other human rights
violations in such centers. Immunity within Drug Related Offences under NDPS Act
 All such officers who act in the in the discharge of their duties in good faith under the Act are
duly exempted from legal proceedings, suits and other prosecution under Section 69 of the Act.
 Any addict who has been accused with consumption of drugs under section 27 or with any offence,
which includes even a tiny quantity, will be exempted or protected from any prosecution if they
volunteer for dead-diction. This exception might be withdrawn if the addict does not undertake complete
treatment as given under section 64A.
 Offenders under the State or Central governments can delegate immunity to a wrongdoer in order to get
his evidence in any important case. Such immunity is only allowed by the government and not by any
court as provided under section 64.
 Any minor who commits an offence (individual less than 18 years old) shall be secured by the Juvenile
Persons (Care and Protection) Act. This Act seeks to cure and rehabilitate these juveniles instead of
punishing them under the respective Acts. It prevails over any other Act with regard to any individual
underneath the age of 18. Subsequently, such persons cannot be prosecuted under the NDPS Act either.
Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
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 36

Loopholes within the Act

India’s primary statute on drug trafficking is still no free from the many loopholes which leave certain
aspects within the law ambiguous to the parties involved.

 The Act has no reasonable distinction between the definition of an addict and a consumer. The
definitions which have been tried so far are neither backed by law nor by ethics.
 The Act constantly makes use of terms such as use, possession, and consumption still neglects to inform
and educate about what they truly mean.
 Further, the non-appearance of any political initiative in the setting up of machinery sanctioned to
enforce and regulate rehabilitation acts as an impediment too. Furthermore, the scarcity of the related
institutions in charge of training the judicial machinery, the insufficient rehabilitation facilities and other
similar factors have advanced the inadequacy of the law to deal with the widespread drug menace in
India.
 Moreover, the ineffectual enforcement of the statute and the deficiency in rehabilitative organizations in
the country has only added to the many shortcomings within the Act.
 Further, the stringent rules and the strictness of the NDPS Act is revealed by the provision for granting
capital punishment in instances of repeated offenses, similar to the manufacture, production,
transportation, possession and import/export of drugs.
 Moreover, there is a huge lack in the amount of data and statistics pertaining to drug addiction which in
no way whatsoever arises simply from the absence of substance abuse.

The provisions of criminalizing the utilization of drugs, punishing the possession of drugs
for individual utilize, imposing the death penalty and other different aspects of the enactment are far
harsher than those specified in the UN drug control convention.

Examples within the Indian Judiciary

 In February 2012, the Chandigarh district court sentenced Paramjit Singh, who had been discovered with
10 kg of heroin in 2007, to death. In 1998 he had been captured with 1.02 kg of heroin as well and thus
Capital Punishment was duly imposed.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 37

 In February 2008, the Ahmedabad sessions court sentenced Omkarnath Kak, who had been found with
28 kg of charas in 2003, to death. In 1988, Kak had previously been captured for having 40kg of charas
as well.
 In December 2007 a Mumbai special court granted the death sentence to Ghulam Malik, found with 142
kg of hashish in 2004. Approximately 1.8 kg of hashish had been recuperated from Malik on a prior
event as well.

Legal Implications of Drug Abuse/ Possession

As per Section 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 production,
sale/purchase, transportation, interstate import/export or any other commercial activity of cannabis is
punishable.

 For holding a small quantity, the prescribed punishment is rigorous imprisonment for up to six
months, fine of Rs 10,000 or both.

 For holding more than a small quantity but less than the commercial quantity, the prescribed
punishment is rigorous imprisonment for up to 10 years, fine of Rs 1 lakh, or both.

 For holding commercial quantity, the prescribed punishment is rigorous imprisonment for up to 10-20
years, fine of Rs 1-2 lakh, or both.

Offenses Penalty Sections of the Act

Cultivation of coca plants or Punishment: Rigorous
Opium – Sec.18(c) Cannabis –
opium, cannabis without license imprisonment-up to 10 years +
Sec.20 Coca- Sec.16
fine up to Rs.1 lakh

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 38
The embezzlement of opium by Rigorous imprisonment of up to
Sec.19
licensed farmer 10 to 20 years + fine Rs.1 to 2

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 39

lakhs (regardless of the

quantity)
For a small quantity of drugs,
the punishment is still a
rigorous imprisonment for up to
6 months or a fine of Rs.10,000
The manufacture, production, or both. More than a little
Prepared opium-17 Opium – 18
sale, possession, transport, quantity but less than business
Cannabis – 20 Manufactured
purchase, import/export inter- quantity would result in
drugs or their preparations-21
state, or use of psychotropic rigorous imprisonment for up to
Psychotropic substances -22
substances and narcotic drugs. 10 years
+ fine up to Rs.1 Lakhs. And
commercial/Business quantity
would attract rigorous
imprisonment of 10 to 20 years
+ a fine Rs.1 to 2 Lakhs.
The import or export or
transhipment of psychotropic Same as above Sec.23
substances narcotic drugs.
External dealings in NDPS-i.e.
controlling and engaging in
Rigorous imprisonment 10 to
trade wherein drugs are
20 years + a fine of Rs. 1 to 2 Sec.24
supplied to an individual
lakhs (Regardless of the
outside India and drugs are also
quantity)
obtained from outside India.
Knowingly allowing one’s
premises to be used for Same as for the offense Sec. 25
committing an offense

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Violations pertaining to
Rigorous imprisonment up to
controlled substances Sec. 25A
10 years + fine Rs. 1 to 2 lakhs
(precursors).
Financing traffic and harboring Rigorous imprisonment 10 to 20
Sec. 27A
offenders years + fine Rs. 1 to 2 lakhs
Attempts, abetment and Attempts-Sec.28 Abetment and
Same as for the offense
criminal conspiracy criminal conspiracy – Sec,29
Preparation to commit an Half the punishment for the
Sec.30
offense offense
In most of the cases, the
punishment is One and half
Sec.31
Repeat offense times the penalty for the
Death – 31A
offense. And death penalty in
some
cases.
Morphine, cocaine, heroin -
Punishment is Rigorous
imprisonment up to 1 year or
fine up to Rs.20,000 or both.
And for consumption of some
other drugs- Imprisonment up Sec.27
Consumption of drugs
to 6 months or fine up to Rs.10, Immunity – 64A
000 or both. And there is
immunity from the legal
proceedings provided to addicts
if he/she volunteering for
treatment.
Punishment for violations not Imprisonment for up to six
Sec. 32
elsewhere specified months or fine or both.

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 41

DRUG EDUCATION:
Drug abuse is rising dramatically around the country. Over the past ten years, the percentage of
employees testing positive for drug use has reached to an higher extent. While the reasoning behind the
increase in substance use disorders and substance addiction cannot be pinpointed,the need to improve
methods of addressing the problem have become rather apparent. The number of active substance users
expanding exponentially, it is more important than ever to begin working to address this issue through
improved, preemptive measures.Providing comprehensive therapeutic interventions to individuals
looking for substance abuse help is a great method of addressing an existing substance addiction.
Identifying effective preemptive methods of addressing substance use, and the dangers associated with
all levels of addiction, is a necessary first step in the fight. This process can begin by:
1.Posing the right questions to address the rising flood of drug addiction
2.Educating those individuals unaware of its addictive and dangerous qualities.

Importance of Drug Education

Improved methods of drug education can have a significant impact on individuals and aid in the battle
against substance addiction on a number of levels:
 It provides knowledge necessary to avoid risky situations and information to make healthier personal
choices.
 It aids in creating personal strategies for avoiding both negative peers and the inherent social
pressures associated with substance use in social scenarios.
Working to inform individuals of the physical dangers associated with substance use and equipping
them with effective strategies for avoiding challenging situations arms people with the knowledge
necessary to justify their substance avoidance.

Effects of Drug Education in Schools

Recent studies have shown that early-intervention drug education within schools can provide students
with a variety of positive social skills.
 It educates them on the dangers of substance use, even isolated incidents.

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 It equips them with effective refusal skills to implement when confronted with negative peer
pressures associated with illicit drug use.
 It addresses possible cultural issues associated with substance addiction.
 It provides an improved foundation of knowledge for younger individuals to approach the topic of
drug use within the community.
This type of early intervention aids in developing students’ personal life skills and identifying an
appropriate range of relationships in which students should engage. It also identifies the influence the
media and entertainment industry has on personal substance use and improves students’ perspective on
positive social acceptance and maladaptive social influences.
Main Focus of Drug Education
The key to providing impactful drug education to people is to include content relevant to current
experiences and interests. Implementing highly interactive teaching that engage individuals in problem
solving and critical thinking allows them to work through pertinent scenarios and learn methods of
improved self-awareness and positive assertiveness.Providing the educational information in a manner
that positions drug education with broader health and personal learning curriculum focused on mental
health issues – such as stress and anxiety – aids in personalizing the information and increases the
likelihood that the participants will connect with the information.
Key Points on Drug Education
 Approaching the problem from a proactive perspective creates a scenario in which levels of
substance abuse education can be applied to an ever-expanding demographic of people struggling
with addiction.
 Teaching someone how to avoid, stop or get help for their substance use disorder empowers them to
not only address their substance use issues, but also overcome their addiction entirely.
 Substance abuse education is important for children, teenagers and adults alike; providing effective
knowledge before an addiction is allowed to fully grip an individual may help to address this
growing issue.
 Being proactive in the fight against substance addiction creates a better lifeline for individuals
contending with temptations of substance use without understanding the slippery slope connected to
substance use.

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A., Rubeena, Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law
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 43

REHABILITATION

India is beginning to see a rise in rehabilitation centres across the country. Drug use is still considered to
be a very sensitive matter. Often times, families do not want to send their loved ones to a rehab in India,
because of shame or even fear. For those suffering with addiction, rehabilitation is the only respite.
Rehab helps people regain control over their life and reintegrate into society. Drug rehab centres help
guide sufferers with certain programs, they also include therapeutic sessions and interventions that have
counseling, cognitive behavioural therapy, and group therapy like yoga, meditation, and so on. Most
reputed treatment centres provide drug addiction treatment with round the clock assistance and care.
They include qualified counsellors who have much experience, general psychiatrists, physicians, and
psychologists. The patients are provided with expert medical care and support which will help them
recover from addiction. The best treatment of drug addiction is admitting the patient to a rehabilitation
centre because it provides them with a safe atmosphere that is comfortable and provides a homely
feeling; this is quite crucial if you want long-term recovery and no relapses. Cadabams, India’s largest
and most trusted rehabilitation centre provides comprehensive rehabilitation treatment plans that offer
hallmark services like supported employment, vocational training, post-treatment support,
psychotherapy and medication management to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.

TREATMENT METHODS

Drug abuse treatment can be hard but there are quite a few treatment options available. These can help
the individual get over the abuse:

 Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): In CBT, the therapist helps the individual identify the
negative thought patterns that are associated with substance abuse. Through the process, these
negative patterns are replaced with positive ones. Here appropriate coping techniques are also
taught to the individual.
 Motivational enhancement therapy: In this therapy, the therapist helps the individual get in touch
with their personal motivation to give up the abuse. Here the individual is motivated to commit
to the treatment plan and recover. This therapy is effective when used in the early stages to
engage the individual in the treatment plan.

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 Contingency management: This usually seen to be used in a residential program where

individuals with a variety of disorder live together and seek recovery. Here expectations,
regarding particular behaviour, are clearly stated to the individual. If they engage in this desired
behaviour a reward is given. This technique is to reinforce desired behaviour by providing
incentives.
 Medications: Medications are mainly used in the detoxification process. Here the goal is to drain
the substance out of the body. Specific medication and supervision are essential in this.
Detoxification is also a stage where the individual gets a lot of cravings and withdrawal
symptoms. Techniques to cope with these are also provided.
 Long term residential programs: Here the whole living space is structured to help the individual
recover. The individual is asked to stay for usually 6 – 12 months. A multidisciplinary team,
consisting of a psychologist, nurse, psychiatrist and physician, takes care of the individual. All
the team members render their services when required.
 Out-patient programs: Here the individual is provided treatment on a weekly basis. Every week
they are required to meet and undergo therapy with a psychologist and psychiatrist. If progress is
not observed in a period of time, they are offered a long term program.
 In-patient program: Rehabilitation is one of the best ways for the prevention of relapse to
alcoholism and substance drugs abuse. This is similar to the long term program. A similar set of
therapies are provided along with 24 hours of supervision from a multidisciplinary team. The
only difference here is that the individual is required to stay only for a few weeks in the
organization.

ROLE OF MEDIA

The role of mass media in shaping public perceptions of certain issues, including drugs, makes them a
necessary partner for the law enforcement agencies in deterring the spread of drug consumption. Practice
indicates that cooperation between law enforcement agencies and mass media in most cases provides
positive results. Mass media is really essential for awareness-raising in combating drug-related crime. If
all mass media would condemn drug addiction that might provoke an opposite counterproductive effect
in society. It is important to tell all the truth about drugs, including conflicting information. Otherwise,
the public will observe contradictions between real life and information transmitted through the mass
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 45
media. An individual does not require any special skills to obtain information on drugs.

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 46

Mass media play a pivotal role among sources of the most accessible information on drug
nomenclature, their procurement, manufacture, and consumption. Obviously, the leading role takes the
Internet, followed by such communicative channels as television, radio broadcasting, video products,
and the press. A vast awareness-raising campaign should take into account a great number of factors,
employ qualified experts and executors specifically trained for implementing such practices in their
daily activities. Informational campaigns in the mass media must be directed to the provision of
objective, complete, and truthful information on the consequences of drug consumption, and contribute
to creating positive conduct. Mass media approaches aim to present positive role models who reject
substance abuse and whose behavior the target audience may model. These approaches are powerful
means for disseminating health promotion messages among a wide and diverse audience through
television, the internet, mobile phones, newspapers, and roadside advertising hoardings that serve as
infotainment techniques. Advertisements against drugs may contribute to shaping patterns of drug use
and the intention to use drugs, as well as modifying mediators such as awareness, knowledge, and
attitudes about drugs. In India, there have been continued and sustained efforts by the experts informing
people through electronic and print media. Cyberspace and other forms of electronic media can play a
vital role in educating people.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Prevention interventions delivered in educational settings
Educational institutions provide an opportune platform for prevention because of the ease of delivery of
such powerful messages and access to young people in an ideal setting. Efficacy of these classroom
interventions has been assessed by very few studies. Interventions focusing on general psychosocial
development and life skills might be effective in reducing alcohol use but not in particularly reducing
alcohol-related harm.

Prevention interventions delivered for family or parents

Family plays an important and crucial role in preventing substance use in adolescents. Many family-
based prevention interventions focus on psychosocial development rather than on prevention of target
drug use. These interventions have the potential to improve several aspects of a person's development.
Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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Parental monitoring, supervision, and improved child–parent communication act as preventive
measures. Parent

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 48

training, family skill building, and structured family therapy can prevent illicit drug use. Parental
education alone is not effective. In an Indian study, family intervention therapy helped significantly to
reduce the severity of alcohol intake, improve the motivation to stop alcohol use, and change the locus
of control from external to internal in the study group.
Restricting or banning of advertising substances
Higher exposure to alcohol advertising predicts drinking initiation and increased drinking in adolescents.
Power of advertising to influence children and adolescents is incontrovertible. Many advertisements use
celebrity endorsers, humor, rock music, or attractive young models, all of which have been shown to be
effective with children and adolescents. Advertising makes smoking and drinking seem like normative
activities and may function as a “SUPERPEER” in subtly pressuring teenagers to experiment.
Adolescents exposed to tobacco advertisement are more likely to smoke than those who are not exposed.
Research has revealed that advertising may be responsible for up to 30% of adolescent tobacco and
alcohol use. Banning advertisement of alcohol is an effective approach to reducing and preventing
problematic alcohol use and alcohol-related harm in adolescents. Bans on tobacco advertisements are
gradually being implemented worldwide, with about 12% countries reporting advertisement restrictions
in 2014. These bans are consistently effective in producing an average of 7% reduction in smoking
prevalence in these countries. In India, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 under
Section 5 bans the advertising of the use of cigarettes and other tobacco products. However, its impact
on initiation and prevalence of tobacco use has not been systematically studied.
Taxation and maximum pricing
The most fundamental law of economics links the price of a product to the demand for that product.
Increase in the monetary value of alcohol (i.e., through tax increases) would be expected to lower
alcohol consumption and its adverse consequences. There is strong evidence in favor of increased
alcohol taxation or price and reduction in overall alcohol consumption. There is consistent evidence that
raised alcohol prices produce moderate-to-large reductions in alcohol-related morbidity and mortality,
crime, violence, and sexually transmitted diseases.Studies investigating such a relationship found that
alcohol prices were one-factor influencing alcohol consumption among adolescents and young adults.
Other studies determined that increases in the total price of alcohol can reduce drinking and driving and
its consequences among all age groups; reduce the frequency of diseases, injuries, and deaths related
to alcohol use and
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abuse; and reduce alcohol-related violence and other crimes. Increase in the price of cigarettes through
taxation reduces cigarette consumption in adolescents who have already started smoking and are two-
three times more responsive to price changes than the adults. However, in India, as per the current
taxation practices, increasing the tax component is unlikely to reduce tobacco consumption unlike the
developed countries. The paradox becomes clear only if certain basic elements are understood.
Cigarettes are available in five different lengths (<65 mm; 65–70 mm; 70–75 mm; 75-85 mm; >85 mm)
in India. Chewing tobacco products such as pan masala are available in different quantities. Nine-eight
percent of beedis available are handmade though mechanization is possible. There is a concomitant
increase in households involved in beedi rolling. Tobacco companies have remarkable ingenuity and
lobbying to make sure their customer base remains intact even when taxes are raised. Taxes have been
low for beedis compared with other tobacco products. Handmade beedis are taxed just Rs. 12/1000
sticks while machine- made ones are taxed Rs. 30/1000 beedis. Handmade beedis constitute nearly 98%
of those sold in Indian market.
Availability and sale restrictions
Adolescents' access to alcohol can be reduced by restricting the outlets where alcohol is sold.Restricted
access to alcohol is associated with stability in the harm caused by alcohol. Restricted access is
applicable to people of all ages that drink. In India, there are some states such as Gujarat, Bihar,
Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep which prohibit the sale,
purchase, and consumption of alcohol. Gujarat is the only state which awards death penalty to those
found guilty of making and selling spurious liquor causing death. Despite the strict prohibitions,
predictably, smuggling and sale of illicit alcohol are very common. India also observes dry days on
major religious festivals and national holidays such as Republic Day, Independence Day, and Gandhi
Jayanti.On these days, sale of alcohol is prohibited and the respective state government ensures its
effectiveness.Drunken driving and accidents are not so low in any of the dry states as most of the truck
drivers consume the country alcohol during their trips, which is easily available in the states where
alcohol is not prohibited. Ban on alcohol consumption has definitely led to decline in the number of
accidents. It instills fear in the minds of the drivers for the payment of large sums of money as fine, if
caught under heavy drunken conditions.

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 50

CURRENT AND FUTURE CHALLENGES

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has conducted many nation-wide drug surveys. The
results of these surveys suggest that drug use in India continues to grow unabated. Opioid use has
increased. More disturbingly, heroin has replaced the natural opioids (opium and poppy husk) as the
most commonly abused opioids. The uses of other synthetic drugs and cocaine have also increased
significantly. The survey results suggest a need to strengthen our existing system, to have a more
concerted effort and a need to fix the loopholes. In the years to come, the government might like to
concentrate on the following:

The National Mental Health Survey showed a treatment gap of >70 per cent for drug use disorders. The
recent nation-wide survey on substance use disorders has replicated the result, with nearly 75 percent
treatment gap for drug use disorders. Added to that misery, merely five per cent of people with illicit
drug use disorders received inpatient care1. This large treatment gap indicates poor accessibility,
utilization and quality of health care. To meet this unmet need, one should expand the treatment and
rehabilitation facilities for substance use disorders. The DTC scheme by the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare could be the starting point, but it is not enough. At present, the scheme is implemented
by the NDDTC, AIIMS. Other centres may also be involved. As drug demand reduction falls under the
direct purview of both the ministries of Health as well as Social Justice, a coordinated and concerted
effort is required to fill the treatment gap with a minimum standard of care. Nation-wide drug surveys
are to be conducted on regular intervals to discover the undercurrents of substance use in India and to
encourage the government to make informed decisions. Current and future challenges in the supply
reduction arm lie in the early detection and scheduling of the new psychoactive substances. The recently
published report of the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) revealed India's threat to
mephedrone and captagon (a derivative of amphetamine and theophylline). The Report also discussed
the country's potential problem with the precursor chemicals. Moreover, it has noted with caution the
rapid proliferation of internet-based pharmacies and bitcoin-based transactions for the illicit drug use in
India. Misuse of the over-the-counter medications with definite (e.g., benzodiazepines, tramadol and
codeine) or with possible addictive potential (e.g., pregabalin) is another concern, voiced by the
international forum.

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 51

Drug abuse is illegal because of various reasons, so it should be prevented. We have

various obligatory laws to prevent it but we are still facing the problem of drug abuse because of lack of
implementation and lacunae in existing laws. In this section we are trying to suggest certain measures to
curb the problem of drug abuse. In BachpanBachaoAndolan v. Union of India &Ors. Supreme Court
directed to the State to curb the child trafficking and drug abuse, for drug abuse among children court
suggested the following things:

1. A national action plan on substance abuse is required.

2. There is a need of counselling and rehabilitation to child affected by drug abuse.

3. There is need of communication between parents and child.

4. There should be a co-ordination between the multiple bodies which are established to fight with drug
abuse.

5. Proper counselling of drug addicts is required.

6. By making awareness among people about drug abuse.

7. The improper policy of government for youngster is also responsible for drug abuse, so there is need
of proper policy in favour of youngster’s lifestyle which could reduce the social, mental, educational and
economic pressure.

8. There is a need of proper control over the manufacture, distribution and import and export of
chemicals which can be used in the illicit manner.

9. Identification of drug users at an early stage is required in order to take corrective measures.

10. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act does not make adequate distinctions between a
casual drug user, a hard addict, a petty peddler and a seasoned drug trafficker, so there should be a
proper demarcation between these four types of drug abusers.

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 52

11. This Act does not make any meaningful distinctions between hard and soft drugs which is the reason
why many drug users resort to hard drugs.So there is a need of different punishments for soft and hard
drugs.

Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
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 53

CONCLUSION

Drug is a poison, it provides short term enjoyment with long term pain. So be aware, be safe. India
has braced itself to face the menace of drug trafficking both at the national and international levels.
Several measures involving innovative changes in enforcement, legal and judicial systems have been
brought into effect. The NDPS Act has undertaken several viable measures for the prevention and
punishment for all drug related offences and drug trafficking, however there still needs to be more
provisions for reformation as far as this Act and its provisions are concerned. Comprehensive strategy
involving specific programmes to bring about an overall reduction in use of drugs has been evolved by
the various government agencies and NGOS and is further Supplemented by measures like education,
counseling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes. There is a need for the government enforcement
agencies, the non governmental philanthropic agencies, and others to collaborate and supplement each
Other’s efforts for a solution to the problem of drug addiction through education and legal actions.

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Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com
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Nadeem, A., Rubeena, B.(2009). Substance Abuse in India. Pravara Med Rev, 4(4). Indian Law to
Check Illegal Drug Trafficking:A Critical Evaluation,http://www.shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in
Drug Abuse Causes: What is the cause of Drug Abuse, www.healthyplace.com