drug abuse in mizoram essay

Citizen Journalism
Advertise with Us

Survey reveals ‘shocking’ facts about drug use in Mizoram

Aizawl: Baseline Survey on Extent and Pattern of Drug Use in Mizoram, the first complete survey of drug use in the state, has revealed many shocking facts about drug abuse in Mizoram, said social welfare department secretary P Lalchhuanga.

The state’s social welfare department has just completed the baseline survey, making Mizoram the first state in India to conduct such a complete survey on drug abuse, SWD officials said and thanked the state government for funding the survey.

During a discussion on the findings of the survey at Aijal Club last Friday, the SWD secretary said the survey revealed many shocking facts about drug abuse in Mizoram and showed the need and urgency to fight drug abuse on a war footing.

The survey was carried out in all the eight districts of Mizoram by 32 researchers, interviewing 2633 drug users whose average was 28.

Of the 2,633 drug users interviewed, 80 per cent were males, 10 percent were females and one percent were transgenders.

Most of the drug users said they started doing drugs after seven to 12 years since they started schooling, and most of them started smoking before they doing drugs.

The survey revealed that 81.6 per cent of drug users were jobless while 32 percent drug users among males had permanent jobs. Among the female drug users, 12.9 per cent sold drugs and 33 per cent were commercial sex workers.

Pharmaceutical opioids are the commonest abused drugs in Mizoram, followed by heroin, sedative drugs and inhalants (volatile solvents).

Of the drug users interviewed, 49.5 per cent were singles while 24.2 per cent were divorcees. Another 20.7 per cent of drug users were married. It was also revealed that three-fourths of the drug users still lived with their parents. 78.6 per cent of the injecting drug users said drug was introduced to them by their friends, of these 65.8 per cent used shared syringes with their friends.

The survey also revealed that 48 per cent of the drug users were getting treatment from OPDs in different hospitals while 39.9 per cent were getting treatment from IPDs. Another 35 percent were getting OST (Opioid Substitution Treatment).

Overdose was commonest among heroin users with 47 per cent followed by detro-propoxyphene (like spasmo- proxyvon and parvon spas). Of the drug users who were overdosed, only 3.2 per cent got naxolone injection, which is the best treatment for opioid overdose.

Revealing that most of the female drug users were jobless, the survey suggested that providing jobs to them would reduce drug use among females, Nagalandpost reported.

The survey also emphasized the importance of providing education to the youths and prevent them from using tobacco at early age to reduce drug abuse among youngsters.

Matters India

Matters India strives to be a platform to tell stories of church and society for Indians to think and act beyond their regional, linguistic, ritual, and caste differences and to enable them to see the goodness in others irrespective of their faiths.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

We're Hiring!
Help Center

Drugs - Related Knowledge and attitudes among University Students in Mizoram: A Sociological Study

2018, International Journal of Applied Social Science

Introduction: The increase in substance abuse among youths and its complications from one of the most pressing health problems among students as an important and vulnerable group in society. Marijuana, Proxivon, Heroin, and Indian-produced pharmaceutical drugs are the most frequently abused drugs in Mizoram. This alarming issue had been a serious public health problem in the State as well as worldwide. Objectives: This study aims to assess the drug related knowledge and attitude among university students in Mizoram in 2018. Result: The study revealed that 61.7 per cent of the respondents have wrong perception about substance abuse because they mentioned that such abuse reduce the stress level of consumers. Nearly two third of the respondents, (65.0%) wrongly revealed that drugs increase the pleasure of life and also one third of the respondents (31.7 %) wrongly mentioned that the effects of drugs are temporary. Because of this wrong perception nearly more than two fifth of the respondents (43.3%) accepted that they are using drugs occasionally. The rates of usage of substances are alarming in nature in the study area. Conclusion: Students tend to adopt negative attitude towards drugs abuse only after they have good knowledge regarding drugs. On the basis of the results of the present study, it may be suggested that youth should be aware regarding the complications and consequences of drugs consumption, so that they may adopt the negative attitude towards drugs and plan their future life accordingly. Key Words: Knowledge, Attitude, Drugs, University students, Mizoram

Related Papers

International Journal of Research in Economics and Social Sciences(IJRESS)

PL Vanrozama

Background: Knowledge and attitude about substance use are of vital importance for prevention as well as treatment of substance abuse especially in the youth as it is the age when the majority of drug users start using of various substances. Objective: This study aims to assess the drug related knowledge and attitude among college students in Mizoram. Method: College students (pursuing graduation) from two colleges were selected for this study. 'Drug related knowledge and attitude questionnaire for students', a self-reported questionnaire was employed in this study. Results: The total sample consisted of 60 students, each 30 students from two colleges who were pursuing graduation course. Most of the students appeared to have adequate knowledge about addictive substances and their harmful effects but only a minority had knowledge about the available treatment. Again only a minority had negative attitude towards substance abusers and agreed for substance use by themselves or their friends or family. Conclusions: Majority of students had adequate knowledge about harmful effects of addictive drugs and substances but had narrow information regarding treatment options. This highlights the need for spreading more awareness for prevention as well as treatment of drugs and substance-related problems in Mizoram. Keywords: drugs, substance, knowledge, attitude, Mizoram.

Manju Khokhar and Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh

The purpose of the present research paper was to highlight the attitude towards narcotics drug among college students. Randomly 100 students were selected from the students of Meerut College, Meerut. Attitude towards narcotics drug was measured by scale developed by Bhadra & Girija (1977). 2*2 factorial design was used to find out significant difference between attitude of male and female, rural and urban towards narcotics drugs. F-value revealed that inhabitation i.e. rural/urban has significant effect on the attitude of college youths towards narcotics drugs. However no significant difference was obtained between male and female regarding attitude toward narcotic drugs. The results were interpreted in terms of Indian socio-cultural milieu. Accordingly some intervention strategies should be adopted to reduce pro-attitude towards narcotics drugs. Findings of the present study can promote positive attitude among college youths and consequently they can lead better students’ life in future. ############### Key Words:- Attitude, College Youth, Gender, Inhabitation, Narcotic Drugs. Cite this paper as – Khokhar, M. & Singh, B. (2017). Attitude of College Youth towards Narcotic Drugs. Academic Social Research, 3 (3) Supp, 3-10.

https://www.ijrrjournal.com/IJRR_Vol.8_Issue.3_March2021/IJRR-Abstract094.html

International Journal of Research & Review (IJRR)

Background: Substance abuse is a challenging problem among adolescent age group in India. Even it is completely prohibited but this delinquent behaviour stems in our school. Aim and objective: aim of study is to know level of knowledge and perception of drug abuse among high school children. Material and Method: It is a cross sectional study conducted in high school of Patna, Bihar. Data was collected using a questionnaire and self-structured interview, which involve 280 high school students to accesses the knowledge and perception of drug abuse among students. Data were analysed using descriptive inferential statistics. Results: Prevalence of drug abuse in surveyed students was 13.5% in which male is predominant. 34% of student believed that experimental curiosity is the most common cause of substance abuse. 41.8% of student heard about it from internet and most of them aware of ill effect of drug abuse. Conclusion: The study revealed that peer pressure and easy availability of drug in community are chief contributory factors leads to substance abuse and experimental curiosity is most common cause. Prevention programme should be made to eradicate this ill behaviour from our community.

Journal of Health Sciences

Jasmina Mahmutovic

Introduction: Problem of addiction on psychoactive substances is one of the most diffi cult problems in a modern society, which brings serious consequences, both for the individual, his environment and the whole society.Methods: The study included 95 children and adolescents of medical school. Among the respondents, there were 44 subjects of third year of high school and 51 respondent-grader.Results: Students involved in this research as an answer to why young people start using drugs often reported curiosity in over 50% of cases, as well as pressure of friends. For students who use narkotine respondents generally thought they are reasonable and sufficiently weak and limited personality. Thelargest number of high school students who were involved in the study did not know the individuals who use drugs.Conclusion: Drug addiction is a serious problem all over the country, and the number of addicts is becoming larger. Particularly worrisome is the fact that the consumption of the drug...

Journal of Chitwan Medical College

karma bhurtyal

Background: Currently, drug abuse is booming in developing countries including Nepal, which may directly affect personal as well as socioeconomic condition of individual and community. Teenage, being the most crucial stage of life, is the age when teenagers want to explore a lot of things and is curious about new experiments. So, they think that, drugs assist them to overcome all the problems they face in day to day life. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge regarding drug abuse among MBBS first year students of Chitwan Medical College. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the knowledge regarding drug abuse among MBBS first year students of CMC. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information, which was adopted from previous studies. Study participants were briefed about the nature of the study and the procedure of completing the questionnaire was explained. After completion of the questionnaire, data was collected, ...

https://ijshr.com/IJSHR_Vol.6_Issue.2_April2021/IJSHR-Abstract.039.html

International Journal of Science and Healthcare Research (IJSHR)

Adolescent starts with early healthy teens and ends up with the many unhealthy issues if not taken care of One of the high risk health issues of adolescence is related to substance use. It is a decade ago worldwide problem where India too has fallen into this viscous cycle. It has not only affected the health of adolescence but has also affected the future of the entire nation. Objectives: The study aimed to find out knowledge and attitude on ill effects of substance use among school going children. Material and Methods: The study adopted cross sectional descriptive design. The study was conducted in three School of Golaghat, Assam for a period of 2 weeks among 265 school going children who were selected using purposive sampling technique after taking the consent. Tool knowledge questionnaire related Substance Use and Attitude scale related Substance Use was used. Results: It was found that 94% of the school going children was having high knowledge level on the ill effects of substance use and their attitude varies towards the substance use. There was no significant association found between knowledge score and selected socio demographic variable. Conclusion: It was found that even after having sufficient knowledge and negative attitude towards the substance use, many adolescent are trapped in this phenomena. It may be because of lack of assertiveness and weaken coping ability of the adolescence.

Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics

Faiqua Tahjiba

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the actual condition of the students of University of Rajshahi (RU) regarding drug abuse and addiction. Using case study method the research was conducted with four objectives: (a) to find out how respondents began drug abuse; (b) to discover the causes of their drug addiction; (c) to understand the process of their drug abuse; and (d) to find out the economic, social and health effects of drug abuse. Methods: Case study method was used in this research. Through snowball sampling 18 drug- addicted students of RU were selected as respondents. In-depth interview with a schedule was used to collect data from the respondents in January 2019. Results: Findings of the study show that the causes of drug addiction included curiosity, frustration, friends’ request, neglect from family and friends etc. The drugs which they usually abused were Yaba, Phensydyle, Ganja (Weed), Chuani etc. Their average monthly expenditure for collecting drugs ...

https://www.ijrrjournal.com/IJRR_Vol.3_Issue.7_July2016/Abstract_IJRR0014.html

Adolescent drug abuse is one of the major areas of concern in adolescent and young people's behavior. Substance abuse is found in all age groups. But its prevalence is higher among adolescence and young adults, a large majority of who are students. They most widely use tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. The teens who abuse drugs and alcohol are at higher risk of physical and mental health problem. By seeing above factors the investigator strongly felt that education by structured teaching to higher secondary school students will bring awareness and help in reducing economical and psychological problems among adolescents and hence decreases economic burden on patient and country. By this study investigator will give planned teaching programme to prevent complications, and health teaching to the adolescents. It was educative and evaluative approach with quasi experimental (one group pre test, post test design). The study was conducted at higher secondary school at Hassan District, Karnataka. The target population was 60 selected by simple random sampling technique (lottery method). The method of data collection includes 30 structured knowledge Questionnaire. The findings are Pre-test knowledge score was 35.1% with mean knowledge level 10.53+/-1.32 and Post-test knowledge score was 80.8% with mean knowledge level 24.23+/-1.8. The hypothesis has accepted with the calculated paired t-test that was significant at the level of (P=0.001). According to the findings of the study statistically significant association was present between the level of knowledge gain and age, place of residence and type of family at the P<0.001.

Euro Asia International Journals

ABSTRACT Aim of the present study is to determine the attitude of post-graduate students of Sirsa District in Haryana State towards alcohol and drugs . For this a sample consisted of 200 Post Graduate Students of post graduate colleges situated in Sirsa District of Haryana State was taken . 100 students from M.Sc. stream and 100 students from M.A. stream were taken and descriptive survey method was used . In the present study results shows that that all post graduate students have same attitude towards drug and alcohol and they all want to neglect the drug and alcohol. The results of all hypotheses shown that arts and science, male and female and rural and urban students have similar mean values which mean they all have same thinking and attitude towards drugs and alcohol . Therefore, the study indicate that in the present time youth is aware about drugs and alcohol

https://www.ijhsr.org/IJHSR_Vol.10_Issue.4_April2020/IJHSR_Abstract.016.html

International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (IJHSR)

Background: An Exploratory Study to Assess the Knowledge and Attitude of the Adolescent Students Regarding Psychoactive Substance Abuse. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to find out the deficit area in knowledge and attitude of the adolescent students regarding substance abuse and to prepare pamphlet on psychoactive substance abuse. Method: The investigator selected a sample of 150 adolescents, out which 50 were from 10 th , 50 were from 11 th and 50 were from 12 th classes. Simple random sampling followed by lottery system was used to select the sample. The self-reported questionnaire was framed to assess the knowledge of the adolescent students regarding psychoactive substance abuse. Five point Likert scales was used to assess the attitude of adolescent students Results: The total sample consisted of 150 adolescents, out which 50 were from 10 th , 50 were from 11 th and 50 were from 12 th classes. Most of the students appeared to have adequate knowledge about addictive substances and their harmful effects but only a minority had knowledge about the available treatment. Again only a minority had negative attitude towards substance abusers and agreed for substance use by themselves or their friends or family. Conclusions: The following conclusions were drawn based on the findings of the study i.e the positive correlation was present between knowledge and attitude. The association between knowledge score of the adolescent students with education of father was found statistically significant. The association between attitude score of adolescent students with sex was statistically significant. Therefore, education of the father and sex of adolescents had an impact on adolescent knowledge and attitude. The study recommends the teaching programme, seminar, workshop can be concluded to improve the knowledge and attitude of adolescents students regarding psychoactive substance abuse. Pamphlet prepared by investigator to improve the knowledge and attitude.

RELATED PAPERS

Hans-Ulrich Demuth

Mathematical Statistics and Learning

Arkadi Nemirovski

Journal of Engineering Research and Reports

Emmanuel Ogunjiofor

Stefano Versace

Proceedings of the 18th ACM International Conference on Multimodal Interaction

Cristina Becchio

Adeline Seah

Brazilian Dental Science

GODOFREDO NETO

carlo martino

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Advances in Crop Science and Technology

Muhammed Alsamir

Revista de Morfologia Urbana

Giancarlo Cataldi

Frontiers in physiology

Edmond Jonckheere

Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society

seyed reza attarzadeh hosseini

Paul Adam Isbell

Lauren Poersch

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

Science of The Total Environment

Patricia Bonin

Journal of Marine Systems

Dentistry Journal

Paulo Brito Mascarenhas

simon sabon ola

Physical Review Letters

Rashmi Raniwala

Journal of Behavioral Decision Making

Jaideep Prabhu

Journal of Modern Italian Studies

Henry Frendo

Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Steven Barmazel

Mizoram sees big increase in drug abuse, serious crimes

Aizawl: The growing drug abuse in Mizoram has given rise to various crimes, prompting the law enforcement agencies to take stringent measures to curb the menace, a senior police officer said on Wednesday.

Manipur ethnic violence giving rise to drug smuggling in Mizoram: Minister

Replying to a question in the ongoing budget session, excise and narcotics minister lalnghinglova hmar said drugs are being smuggled into manipur and tripura via mizoram from other countries..

Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar on Tuesday said smuggling of drugs in the state has increased due to the ethnic violence in neighbouring Manipur.

Replying to a question in the ongoing budget session, Hmar said drugs are being smuggled into Manipur and Tripura via Mizoram from other countries.

Manipur has witnessed escalating violence since May 3, 2023, after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts opposed the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

According to Hmar, the Mizoram Excise and Narcotics Department has seized 15 kg of heroin, 96.5 kg of methamphetamine tablets and 238.6 kg of ganja since January this year.

A total of 1,211 people have been arrested in drug-related cases since January, he said.

“In view of the drug trafficking and drug abuse, Mizoram is now in a precarious condition. The government, NGOs, churches and the people must work collectively to improve this situation,” the minister said.

He, however, said “drug circulation or consumption at the local level” has significantly come down following a massive drive launched by the state government, churches and civil society organisations.

Hmar said 10 people, including a woman, have died due to drug abuse since January.

drug smuggling
Manipur Violence

UP Board Result 2024 Date and Time: UP Board 2024 result date and time announced

UPMSP UP Board will announce Class 12 and 10 results on April 20 at 2 pm. Students can access their scores on the official website using their registration number/roll number and password. Last year, the pass percentage was 75.52%, with girls scoring 83% and boys scoring 69.34%. Despite reports of paper leaks, the board conducted exams for over 25 lakh students.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Voting Live: As Phase 1 records 62% polling, PM Modi thanks voters for 'great response' 6 hours ago
UP Board 10th 12th Result 2024 Live Updates: Matric, Inter scores tomorrow at 2 pm 7 hours ago
Iran-Israel Crisis Live Updates: Tehran signals no retaliation against Israel after drone attack 10 hours ago
JEE Mains 2024 Result Live Updates: Final answer key link soon 11 hours ago

Best of Express

voter turnout, Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Lok Sabha elections, Lok Sabha polls, Lok Sabha elections 2024, Lok Sabha election voting, voter turnout, Lok Sabha elections phase 1, Indian express news, current affairs

Buzzing Now

Apr 19: Latest News

01 Sule has borrowed money from Sunetra Pawar, does not own a vehicle, shows election affidavit
02 IPL 2024 Points Table update: Mumbai Indians rise to 7th while Punjab Kings plummet to 9th after PBKS vs MI
03 Firing outside Salman’s residence: FB account used by Anmol Bishnoi to claim responsibility created the same day
04 At UN, Iran warns Israel against further military action
05 IPL 2024 Purple Cap: Jasprit Bumrah remains at the top after LSG vs CSK match
Elections 2024
Political Pulse
Entertainment
Movie Review
Newsletters
Gold Rate Today
Silver Rate Today
Petrol Rate Today
Diesel Rate Today
Web Stories
Premium Stories
Express Shorts
Lok Sabha polls Live
JAC 10th Result
Board Exam Results

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Publications
Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

Advanced Search
Journal List
Elsevier Sponsored Documents

Insights into the link between drug use and criminality: Lifetime offending of criminally-active opiate users

Matthias pierce.

a Centre for Mental Health and Safety, University of Manchester, 4th Floor, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, UK

Karen Hayhurst

Sheila m. bird.

b MRC Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Public Health, University Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK

Matthew Hickman

c School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK

Toby Seddon

d School of Law, University of Manchester, 4.46A Williamson Building, Oxford Road, M13 9PL, UK

Graham Dunn

e Centre for Biostatistics, University of Manchester, Jean McFarlane Building (First Floor), Oxford Road, M13 9PL, UK

Associated Data

• Over the life-course, opiate users have elevated rates of acquisitive offending.
• This association exists prior to opiate-initiation.
• Opiate initiation escalates the difference between opiate users and non-users.
• This escalation is greater for females and for non-serious acquisitive offences.

We test whether the offending trajectory of those who test positive for opiates is greater than test-negative controls and whether the relationship is constant both prior to, and post, opiate initiation. We consider whether these relationships differ according to gender and offence type.

The study provides an analysis of historical offending records in adults linked to test results for opiate and cocaine metabolites. Those testing positive for opiates were linked to treatment records to retrieve data on age of opiate initiation. Rate ratios (RR) were calculated to compare opiate positive testers to opiate and cocaine negative controls, separately by gender and adjusting for age and birth cohort. Age of opiate initiation was included in a second model as a time-dependent variable. Within-subject clustering was accounted for using generalised estimating equations.

Opiate-positive cases had higher rates of offending than test-negative controls, both prior to, and post, opiate initiation. Initiation of opiate use increased the RR by 16% for males but doubled it for females. The RR increase in non-serious acquisitive crime was greater than that seen in serious crime. For males only, opiate initiation narrowed the difference in violent offending rate between cases and controls. A larger offending increase was associated with opiate initiation in female, compared to male, users.

Conclusions

For most crime categories, the difference between groups is exacerbated by opiate initiation. The findings indicate that opiate prevention initiatives might be effective in reducing offending, particularly among females.

1. Introduction

Those dependent on heroin, and other opiates, are disproportionately involved in criminal activity ( Bennett et al., 2008 ); in particular, acquisitive offending (crimes committed for financial gain) ( Bukten et al., 2011 , Pierce et al., 2015 ). The drugs-crime association is an important driver of UK policy, reflected in its prominence in the drug strategies of successive governments ( HM Government, 2008 , Home Office, 2010 ). Explanations of this association fall into three groups:

1. Forward causation – drug use causes crime either through the need to: (a) fund drug use through economic necessity ( Bennett et al., 2008 ); or (b) because of psychopharmacological changes precipitated by drug ingestion ( Boyum and Kleiman, 2002 , Brownstein, 2016 , White and Gorman, 2000 ).
2. Reverse causation – involvement with crime leads to drug use: opportunities for drug use increase with involvement in criminal behaviour ( Hammersley et al., 1989 ).
3. Confounding – crime and drug use share a common (set of) cause(s): there is no direct causal relationship; rather drug use and crime co-occur because of a common cause or set of causes ( Seddon, 2006 , Seddon, 2000 ).

The underlying causal mechanism(s) is likely to be more complex than these explanations suggest ( Bennett and Holloway, 2009 , Seddon, 2000 ). Our previous work has highlighted the need for longitudinal studies with a non-drug user comparison group to examine the natural history of drug use and offending ( Hayhurst et al., 2017 ). Whilst cross-sectional studies can provide information on the extent of the drug-crime association and its strength for different subgroups and offences, the aetiological debate requires longitudinal data to establish the timing of events and to gain knowledge on how the differences between users and non-users evolves over a person’s lifetime.

Current evidence about the development of drug use and offending is constrained by design flaws in published studies, particularly the absence of suitable control groups. Our recent review of the evidence base on pathways through opiate use and offending ( Hayhurst et al., 2017 ) highlighted that research has focused on comparing offending that occurs prior to the initiation of drug use with offending that occurs thereafter. A typical example is the study by Anglin and Speckart (1988) , which examined the criminal records and clinical data of male methadone patients. Most studies which make this comparison find that offending rates are substantially higher after drug-use initiation ( Hayhurst et al., 2017 ). This pre/post design fails to separate the effects of initiation from the effects of other factors which might also be related to offending, in particular, age, which correlates strongly with offending. In general population samples, offending rates tend to peak during late adolescence ( Sweeten et al., 2013 ) which coincides with the age of drug-use initiation. For example, a large proportion (45%) of users in treatment services in the North West of England report age at first use of heroin between 15 and 19 years of age ( Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, 2006 ). To disentangle the age effects from those of drug-use initiation, it is crucial to control for age, using an appropriate control group. Similarly, gender is known to be a strong influence on offending trajectories and whilst some studies have shown the pre/post contrast is greater for females ( Degenhardt et al., 2013 ), the lack of adequate comparator groups limits the inferences which can be drawn.

This paper reports a retrospective cohort analysis to compare the historical offending trajectory of offenders according to drug test result. Prior analysis on this cohort considered offending rates in the two years prior to drug-test and found that testing positive for opiates was a greater predictor of excess offending than testing positive for cocaine. We therefore focus on opiate use, by comparing the historical offending trajectory of offenders who test positive for opiate use (opiate positives) with a control group who test negative for both opiate and cocaine use (test-negatives). This comparison is performed for all offences committed and for three offence categories (serious acquisitive, non-serious acquisitive, violent) whilst controlling for age and birth cohort, and separately by gender. Information about the age of first opiate use is used to consider whether the contrast between opiate positives and test-negatives is similar both before, and after, the initiation of opiate use. The following hypotheses are considered:

1. Opiate positives exhibit higher rates of offending than negative testers prior to opiate positives’ initiation of opiate use;
2. The initiation of opiate use exacerbates the level of offending compared to negative testers;
3. The effect of opiate-use initiation is different for males and females.
4. The effect of opiate-use initiation differs by crime type.

The analysis cohort was identified from those who received a saliva drug test for opiate and cocaine metabolites following arrest, as recorded by the Drug Test Record (DTR), over the period 1st April 2005 to 31st March 2009. Age at drug-use initiation was obtained for the subset also recorded in the English National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) over the same period. Cohort members’ complete recorded offending history (up to 31st March 2009) was extracted from the Police National Computer (PNC).

The cohort was defined from each subject’s first drug-test record which satisfied the following criteria: (1) the subject was 18–39 years old; (2) the test was completed and undisputed; and (3) the subject was charged and sanctioned following their arrest, as evidenced from a contemporaneous PNC record. This cohort has been described in detail elsewhere ( Pierce et al., 2015 ), with the modification here of a lower upper age range and the exclusion of Wales. The age range restriction was applied since the profile of individuals whose offending persists into their 40s may be atypical ( Moffitt, 1993 , Moffitt and Caspi, 2016 ). Those drug-tested in Wales were excluded because NDTMS has coverage for England only. From the analysis cohort, we define opiate-positive cases as those who, on arrest, tested positive for opiates and negative tester controls as those who tested negative for opiates and cocaine.

The DTR records a mandatory saliva test for opiate and cocaine (crack or powder form) metabolites following arrest for a ‘trigger’ offence (pre-defined as associated with problem drug use), or at the discretion of the police officer in charge of the custody area. Trigger offences are: theft; robbery; burglary; vehicle theft; supply or possession of cocaine or heroin ( Home Office, 2011 ). Data are retained on positive and negative saliva test results, test dates, reason for test and basic demographic information. Those who test positive are required to attend an initial assessment with a drugs worker who will help the user seek treatment and other support.

The PNC is an operational database recording all UK arrests that result in a criminal charge. We consider the subset which resulted in a conviction or a caution, reprimand or warning (i.e., sanctioned offences). All sanctioned offences committed by the individual were included, from age 10 (the age of criminal liability in England) up to the two weeks prior to the drug test. We excluded this two-week period to negate the effect of the specific offence which resulted in the drug test.

NDTMS records information about individuals who seek treatment for psychoactive substance-related problems by National Health Service and third-sector providers ( Marsden et al., 2009 ). It includes information about the age at which patients first used the drug they sought treatment for. We linked cases in the analysis cohort to NDTMS records for subjects treated for opioid dependence between 1st April 2005 and 31st March 2009. NDTMS has national coverage, so every subject who received drug treatment in this period should have a record. The analysis was conducted on a complete case basis and those with missing age-of-initiation were described (see Appendix A in the Supplementary material).

Linkage between datasets was based on a minimal identifier (initials, date of birth and gender). Additionally, the PNC includes a unique identifier (PNC-ID). Those minimal identifiers with multiple PNC-IDs were excluded from the analysis, as this was taken as indicating a duplicated record. All identifiers were anonymised prior to their release to the study team to ensure that features of the original data could not be discerned.

2.2. Statistical analysis

In order to compare life-course offending between opiate-positive cases and negative test controls, offence counts per individual were grouped into 1-year age bands and a generalised estimating equation (GEE) was fitted to the data. GEEs account for correlations within clustered observations; in this analysis, offence counts belonging to the same individual. We used a log-link function and included ‘time-at-risk’ as an offset, so that the model parameters are interpreted as population-averaged estimates of the log increase in offending rate associated with a unit change in the variable. The exponential of this term is interpretable as a rate ratio (RR). The model employed an exchangeable correlation structure.

The analysis considered two models. Using the whole cohort, the first model estimated the RR associated with being an opiate user, whilst controlling for age (in years: linear and quadratic terms) and birth cohort (year of birth categorised into: <1975, 1975–1979, 1980–1984, 1985+).

The second model included only those cases that had an NDTMS record. This analysis included the same variables present in the first model with the addition of the time-dependent variable ‘initiated opiate use’, which changed value from zero to one for the year where the user declared initiating opiate use, as per their NDTMS record. Within this model there are two parameters of interest: (1) being an opiate-positive case; and (2) the initiation of opiate use. In a model with both present, the first is interpreted as the RR of the change in offending, associated with being opiate positive, prior to opiate initiation; the second as the change in the RR associated with opiate initiation. Linear combinations of these parameters can be used to derive the estimated change in offending rate associated with opiate-user status, post-initiation of drug use. For example, if the RR associated with being a case is 1.5 and the effect of ‘initiation of opiate use’ is 2 then the RR comparing cases and controls prior to initiation is 1.5 and the RR post-onset of opiate use is 3.0. For ease of interpretation we include all three estimates.

The analysis considered the categories of violent and acquisitive offences, with the latter disaggregated further into ‘serious’ and ‘non-serious’ acquisitive offences according to definitions used in local government reporting ( Audit commission, 2010 ). Sub-categories which fall under serious acquisitive crimes are: burglary; robbery; theft of a vehicle; and theft from a vehicle. Those that fall under non-serious acquisitive crimes are: prostitution; theft from a person; theft from a shop; other theft; fraud and forgery; and drug supply offences. The offences that comprise these sub-categories are detailed in Appendix B (Supplementary material).

A number of those who tested positive for opiates also tested positive for cocaine. Our prior analysis ( Pierce et al., 2015 ) demonstrated that those who tested positive for both drugs had rates of offending higher than those who tested positive for opiates only. As a sensitivity analysis, we therefore consider whether the effect of opiate-use initiation was similar in those who tested positive for opiates only and those who tested positive for both drugs (see Appendix C in the Supplementary material).

3.1. Cohort description ( Table 1 )

Description of cohort by DTR test.

** Categories not mutually exclusive.

The analysis cohort consisted of 18,965 opiate-positive cases and 78,838 test-negative controls. A quarter of both groups were female. Cases were older at their drug test (p < 0.001) and younger at their first recorded offence (p < 0.001). Cases were more likely to have a conviction for a serious acquisitive offence at this date (p < 0.001) and less likely to have a conviction for a violent offence (p < 0.001).

Sixty-seven per cent of opiate-positive cases had complete data on age-of-initiation. The majority of missing data were due to cases not having a linked treatment record (see Appendix A in the Supplementary material). The median age of initiation was similar for men and women.

3.2. Offending history ( Table 2 )

Offending rates for four categories of offences.

In total, the cohort had 1.6 million sanctioned offences. For men, the rate of historical offending for opiate-positive cases was almost double that for test-negative controls (rate per year, opiate users: 1.82; non-users: 0.91; p < 0.001); the rate for opiate-positive females was more than four times that for test-negative females (opiate users: 1.38; non-users: 0.33; p < 0.001). For both male and female opiate users, the rate of offending was lower prior to initiation of opiate use compared to post-initiation. For males and females, the rate of violent and serious acquisitive offending peaked during the late teens, whilst the rate of non-serious acquisitive offences had a later peak ( Fig. 1 a and b).

Offending rates, per year by age, opiate users and non-users for: (a) male, non-serious acquisitive offences; (b) male, serious acquisitive offences; (c) male, violent offences; (d) female, non-serious acquisitive offences; (e) female, serious acquisitive offences; (f) female, violent offences.

3.3. Comparison of offending trajectory opiate-user cases vs. non-user controls ( Table 3 )

Results of Generalised Estimating Equation analysis comparing historical offending rates of opiate users and non-users using whole sample (Model 1, N = 97,803) and those with complete data on age of initiation of opiate use (Model 2, N = 91,565), separately for males and females and for four categories of offences.

See Appendix D (Supplementary material) for rate within years.

3.3.1. Model 1: change in offending trajectory

Controlling for age, age-squared and age-cohort, male opiate positive’s prior total offending rate was double that for test-negatives (Rate Ratio: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.96–2.01); for females, it was over four times greater (RR: 4.59, 95% CI: 4.48–4.69). There was a relative increase in all categories of offending associated with being opiate-positive, with a greater increase for females than for males. The greatest increase associated with being an opiate–positive was for females and for the category non-serious acquisitive offending (RR: 4.79, 95% CI: 4.66–4.91). The lowest increase was for males and for the violent offences category.

3.3.2. Model 2: change in offending trajectory accounting for initiation of drug use

The pre-initiation offending rate for male opiate-positive cases was double the rate for test-negative controls (RR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.97–2.03), whilst the equivalent increased rate for females was 2.80 times (95% CI: 2.71–2.90). Initiation of opiate use increased the RR by 16% for males and 100% for females. Thus, the post-initiation rate was 2.32 times greater for cases than controls among males (95% CI: 2.29–2.35) and 5.61 times greater for females (95% CI: 5.47–5.75).

Both male and female cases had higher historical rates of non-serious and serious acquisitive offences prior to, and subsequent to, initiation of opiate use. For both serious and non-serious acquisitive offending categories and for both genders, initiation of opiate use increased the difference between cases and controls. Additionally, for both genders, there was a greater increase in the RR associated with initiation of opiate use for non-serious acquisitive crimes than serious crimes. In the case of violent offences, for females, the comparison between cases and controls was similar pre, and post, opiate-use initiation (RR: 2.51 and 2.61 respectively); the effect of opiate-use initiation in males was to reduce the RR (RR: 1.79 and 1.34).

We observed cohort effects; for example, controlling for age and drug-test status, later birth cohorts had higher rates of overall historical offending than earlier birth cohorts. However, this did not hold for the sub-categories of non-serious acquisitive crime, where each birth cohort had a similar rate of offending, or for serious acquisitive crime where, for men, earlier birth cohorts had a higher rate of offending.

A sensitivity analysis which separated the opiate-positive group into those that tested positive for opiates only and those that tested positive for opiates and cocaine, showed that the effect of opiate initiation was similar for both (see Appendix C in the Supplementary material).

4. Discussion

4.1. summary of main findings.

Those testing positive for opiates had substantially higher rates of prior sanctioned offending over their life-course than those testing negative for opiates and cocaine. This finding held for both males and females, whilst controlling for age and birth cohort. Findings support our four a priori hypotheses regarding offending prior to, and post, opiate-use initiation: 1) opiate–positives had higher rates of offending than test-negative controls prior to their opiate-use onset; 2) initiation of opiate use exacerbates existing levels of offending compared to controls; 3) initiation of opiate use was associated with a larger increase in the rate ratio (RR) for female than male users; 4) the effect of opiate-use initiation on historical offending differs by crime type as well as by gender.

Of particular interest is the RR reduction in violent offending associated with opiate use initiation observed in male users; while for female users, the RR was relatively unchanged. Opiate-use initiation was associated with greater elevation in non-serious (e.g., shop-lifting) than serious (e.g., burglary) acquisitive crime for both male and female users.

Our previous work demonstrated the association between opiate use and recent offending, whilst highlighting that the strength of the association varies by gender and offence type ( Pierce et al., 2015 ). The present study expands on this analysis to investigate the longitudinal relationship between opiate-use initiation and crime. The majority of research carried out to examine the association between opiate use and crime has used a single cohort, pre/post design ( Hayhurst et al., 2017 ), rather than a separate control group. Our use of offending records over the life-course, together with a suitable control group of non-using offenders, whilst also controlling for age and birth cohort, are all important design strengths. Additionally, we use a large sample size (n = 18,965 cases; n = 78,838 controls) to supply the necessary statistical power needed to detect differences differentiated by gender and sub-category of offending.

4.2. Limitations

The current study has some weaknesses. First, the use of a retrospective design limits the inferences that can be made – for instance, we cannot assess the influence that prior offending has on the likelihood of future opiate use. We are unable to hypothesise the extent to which offending prior to opiate-use initiation is associated with use of other substances, such as cannabis or alcohol, which may precede opiate use initiation ( Lessem et al., 2006 , Lynskey, 2003 ). Also, the opiate-using cohort may not be representative of opiate users in general. The cohort is sampled from individuals who received a drug test on arrest and were subsequently sanctioned; therefore, it is of greater relevance to opiate-using offenders.

The measures used are imperfect. Drug-using offenders may be more likely than non-users to be apprehended ( Bond and Sheridan, 2007 , Stevens, 2008 ) due, for example, to intoxication leading to easier identification. This may account for some of the differences detected in the current analysis, and, potentially, for differences in the period prior to initiation of opiate use, during which the likelihood of arrest may be affected by misuse of other substances, but this explanation is unlikely to account for the strength of the association observed here. Our work corresponds with previous research highlighting high levels of offending in opiate users prior to opiate-use onset ( Shaffer et al., 1987 ); suggestive of common factors underlying both behaviours. Additionally, misclassification of non-cases was evident: 7% of negative testers were linked to an NDTMS record confirming drug-user status. Cases were identified via a saliva test which, despite having high sensitivity and specificity ( Kacinko et al., 2004 ), only detects opiates used up to 24 h prior to testing( Verstraete, 2004 ) and so may not have identified less-problematic users. Any such misclassification would mean that the opiate-user and non-user group identified in this study are more similar than they would be under any ‘gold-standard’ testing procedure, meaning that the results presented are likely to be overly conservative, therefore not disputing our conclusions.

There was missing information on age of initiation for 33% of opiate positive testers; the majority because they did not have a treatment record over the data collection period. Secondary analysis of those with missing data (see Appendix A in the Supplementary material) showed that those who were not linked to NDTMS were less likely to test positive for both opiates and cocaine and were more likely to be male. Inspection of the graphs of offending rate by age group shows that those with missing linkage to NDTMS records had lower rates of offending over the life-course than those with complete information (see Appendix E in the Supplementary material). This could be because individuals who had not sought treatment were a shorter time into their using careers and not caught in a cycle of addiction and offending seen among those in this analysis. Therefore, the generalisability of these results might be affected by our focus on those individuals with a linked treatment record (75% of our cohort).

The findings of the present study are subject to unmeasured confounding. Information on important social factors, such as substance use or criminal behaviour among family members, was not available; neither was socio-economic status ( Gauffin et al., 2013 ). However, even if suitable data were available, it may be difficult to establish the temporal ordering of change in socio-economic status and drug-use initiation.

4.3. Implications and findings in relation to other evidence

Our findings are directly relevant to Government drug policy as they are derived from individuals who have persisted in both their opiate use and offending. The findings confirm the relationship between opiate use and offending observed by others ( Bennett et al., 2008 , Bukten et al., 2011 ). We were also able to demonstrate that opiate-use onset is associated with crime escalation, independent of changes which occur with age. Therefore, initiation of opiate use appears to be a crucial driver of offending; measures to reduce offending should include drug-use prevention.

Others have highlighted that onset substance use in offenders impedes the process of “maturing” out of crime described by the age-crime curve ( Hussong et al., 2004 , Ouimet and Le Blanc, 1996 , Schroeder et al., 2007 ). Greater escalation of offending, compared to controls, post-opiate initiation, was seen in female than male users. This confirms the findings of a recent review, which indicated lower offence rates pre-opiate use in females than males but a greater escalation of crime subsequent to opiate-use onset in females ( Hayhurst et al., 2017 ).

The absence of a relationship between violent crime and onset-opiate use in this study is of significance. Our previous work found a strong association between women testing positive for opiate use and recent violent offending, although such offences were only recorded in 8% of women ( Pierce et al., 2015 ). The current study indicates no apparent increase in violent offending by women associated with opiate initiation, and a relative reduction in violent crime for men. This finding tallies with previous research indicating no confirmed relationship between violent crime and onset-substance use ( Parker and Auerhahn, 1998 , White and Gorman, 2000 ).

The large impact of opiate-use initiation on non-serious acquisitive crime mirrors that of our previous work, which demonstrated a rate of shoplifting in opiate users that was between 3.5 (males) and 4.7 (females) times that of non-using offenders ( Pierce et al., 2015 ). These findings could be explained by opiate users focussing on criminal activity that generates sufficient income to support current drug use and that is within the skill set of the individual user ( James et al., 1979 ).

4.4. Further research

Previous research indicated greater increases in offending levels post-opiate use in individuals with onset of opiate use at an earlier age ( Hayhurst et al., 2017 ). This corresponds with key offending theories in demonstrating that early antisocial or delinquent behaviour is associated with a more pronounced offending trajectory ( Moffitt, 1993 ). It would be informative to examine this interaction further with the use of a control cohort. It would also be advantageous to analyse prospective, longitudinal cohorts so that information could be incorporated on those who desist in their offending and opiate use.

4.5. Conclusions

We have previously highlighted a surprising lack of high-quality research with which to delineate the nature of the relationship between drug use, in general, and opiate use, in particular, and crime. This is one of a handful of studies to employ a control group to account for the well-known relationship between age, drug use and crime. Findings indicate a more complex drugs-crime relationship than that espoused by current drug policy ( Home Office, 2010 ) with already higher than expected levels of offending in those who go on to use drugs, such as opiates, problematically and whose offending behaviour then escalates. Having a more nuanced understanding of the nature of the drugs-crime relationship is crucial to the development of policy responses underpinning decisions about how best to intervene to interrupt the pathway from onset crime to onset substance use ( Hayhurst et al., 2017 ). Findings suggest that complex interventions that target young, particularly female, offenders are required. Indeed, our findings align with the conclusions of others who have suggested that it is quite viable to identify future problematic substance users by patterns of early-life delinquent and offending behaviour, allowing for targeted intervention ( Macleod et al., 2013 ).

This research was funded as part of the Insights study by the UK Medical Research Council (MR/J013560/1). The MRC had no further role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The Home Office have been provided with a pre-submission version of this manuscript but have not exerted any editorial control over, or commented on, its content. Sheila Bird is funded by Medical Research Council programme number MC_U105260794.

Contributors

Millar , Pierce and Hayhurst conceived of the study. Pierce with input from Bird wrote the analysis plan. Pierce analysed the data and wrote a first draft of the manuscript. Millar , Bird and Dunn supervised data analysis. All interpreted the data, edited, and approved of the manuscript.

Conflicts of interest

Millar has received research funding from the UK National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse and the Home Office. He has been a member of the organising committee for conferences supported by unrestricted educational grants from Reckitt Benckiser, Lundbeck, Martindale Pharma, and Britannia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, for which he received no personal remuneration. He is a member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Bird holds GSK shares. She is formerly an MRC programme leader and has been elected to Honorary Professorship at Edinburgh University. She chaired Home Office’s Surveys, Design and Statistics Subcommittee (SDSSC) when SDSSC published its report on 21st Century Drugs and Statistical Science. She has previously served as UK representative on the Scientific Committee for European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. She is co-principal investigator for MRC-funded, prison-based N-ALIVE pilot Trial. Seddon has received research funding from the UK National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse and the Home Office. Hayhurst has received grant research funding from Change, Grow, Live (CGL), a 3rd-sector provider of substance misuse services.

Acknowledgements

A number of organisations and individuals enabled access to data to support this research, including: The Home Office, The Ministry of Justice, Dr Sara Skodbo, Maryam Ahmad, Anna Richardson, Hannah Whitehead, and Nick Manton.

Appendix A Supplementary data associated with this article can be found, in the online version, at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.024 .

Appendix A. Supplementary data

The following is Supplementary data to this article:

Digital Repository Mizoram University

Dspace preserves and enables easy and open access to all types of digital content including text, images, moving images, mpegs and data sets.

Digital Repository of Mizoram University

Ph.D Theses Community home page

Collections in this community, department of biotechnology, department of botany, department of chemistry, department of commerce, department of economics, department of education, department of electrical engineering, department of electronics & communication engineering, department of english, department of environmental science, department of extension education & rural development, department of forest ecology, department of forestry, department of geography and resource management, department of geology, department of hindi, department of history & ethnography, department of horticulture, aromatics & medicinal plant, department of library and information science, department of mass communication, department of mathematics and computer science, department of mizo, department of physics, department of planning & architecture, department of political science, department of psychology, department of public administration, department of social work, department of sociology, department of zoology, departmet of management.

2 Dihingia, Himangshu
2 Hnamte, Remruattluanga
2 Lalchhuanmawii
2 Lalengmawia, R.
2 Lalhriatpuia, C.
2 Lalmuanpuii, Rebecca
2 Lalmuanpuii, Rosie
2 Lalrinmawia
2 Lalrintluangi
2 Malsawmkimi
5 Education
4 Environmental Science
3 Library and Information Science
3 Management
2 Geography & Resource Management
2 Psychology
317 2020 - 2023
354 2010 - 2019
27 2000 - 2009
1 1996 - 1999

Essay on Drug Abuse

Here we have shared the Essay on Drug Abuse in detail so you can use it in your exam or assignment of 150, 250, 400, 500, or 1000 words.

You can use this Essay on Drug Abuse in any assignment or project whether you are in school (class 10th or 12th), college, or preparing for answer writing in competitive exams.

Topics covered in this article.

Essay on Drug Abuse in 150 words

Essay on drug abuse in 250-300 words, essay on drug abuse in 500-1000 words.

Drug abuse is a global issue that poses serious risks to individuals and society. It involves the harmful and excessive use of drugs, leading to physical and mental health problems. Drug abuse can result in addiction, organ damage, cognitive impairment, and social and economic difficulties. Prevention efforts should focus on education, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is crucial for recovery. Strengthening law enforcement measures against drug trafficking is necessary to address the supply side of the problem. Creating supportive environments and opportunities for positive engagement can help prevent drug abuse. By taking collective action, we can combat drug abuse and build healthier communities.

Drug abuse is a growing global concern that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Drug abuse has severe consequences for individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, damage vital organs, and increase the risk of overdose. Mentally, it can cause cognitive impairment, and psychological disorders, and deteriorate overall well-being. Additionally, drug abuse often leads to social and economic problems, such as strained relationships, loss of employment, and criminal activities.

Preventing drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs play a crucial role in informing individuals about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is vital to help individuals recover from substance abuse. Strengthening law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking and promoting international cooperation is also essential to address the supply side of the issue.

Community support and a nurturing environment are critical in preventing drug abuse. Creating opportunities for individuals, especially young people, to engage in positive activities and providing social support systems can serve as protective factors against drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a significant societal problem with detrimental effects on individuals and communities. It requires a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. By addressing the root causes, raising awareness, and providing support to those affected, we can combat drug abuse and create a healthier and safer society for all.

Title: Drug Abuse – A Global Crisis Demanding Urgent Action

Introduction :

Drug abuse is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. This essay explores the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the social and economic impact, prevention and treatment strategies, and the importance of raising awareness and fostering supportive communities in addressing this crisis.

Causes and Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse

Several factors contribute to drug abuse. Genetic predisposition, peer pressure, stress, trauma, and environmental influences play a role in initiating substance use. The availability and accessibility of drugs, as well as societal norms and cultural acceptance, also influence drug abuse patterns. Additionally, underlying mental health issues and co-occurring disorders can drive individuals to self-medicate with drugs.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has devastating consequences on individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Substance abuse affects vital organs, impairs cognitive function, and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, are often associated with drug abuse. Substance abuse also takes a toll on relationships, leading to strained family dynamics, social isolation, and financial instability. The social and economic costs of drug abuse include increased healthcare expenses, decreased productivity, and the burden on criminal justice systems.

Prevention and Education

Preventing drug abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs are essential in schools, communities, and the media to inform individuals about the risks and consequences of drug abuse. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms, stress management skills, and decision-making abilities can empower individuals to resist peer pressure and make informed choices. Early intervention programs that identify at-risk individuals and provide support and resources are crucial in preventing substance abuse.

Treatment and Recovery

Access to quality healthcare and evidence-based addiction treatment is vital in addressing drug abuse. Treatment options include detoxification, counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments. Rehabilitation centers, support groups, and outpatient programs provide a continuum of care for individuals seeking recovery. Holistic approaches, such as addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and promoting healthy lifestyles, contribute to successful long-term recovery. Support from family, friends, and communities plays a significant role in sustaining recovery and preventing relapse.

Law Enforcement and Drug Policies

Effective law enforcement efforts are necessary to disrupt drug trafficking and dismantle illicit drug networks. International cooperation and collaboration are crucial in combating the global drug trade. Additionally, drug policies should focus on a balanced approach that combines law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies. Shifting the emphasis from punitive measures toward prevention and rehabilitation can lead to more effective outcomes.

Creating Supportive Communities:

Fostering supportive communities is vital in addressing drug abuse. Communities should provide resources, social support networks, and opportunities for positive engagement. This includes promoting healthy recreational activities, providing vocational training, and creating safe spaces for individuals in recovery. Reducing the stigma associated with drug abuse and encouraging empathy and understanding are crucial to building a compassionate and supportive environment.

Conclusion :

Drug abuse remains a complex and multifaceted issue with far-reaching consequences. By addressing the causes, raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, providing quality treatment and support services, and fostering supportive communities, we can combat drug abuse and alleviate its impact. It requires collaboration and a collective effort from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to build a society that is resilient against the scourge of drug abuse. Through education, prevention, treatment, and compassion, we can pave the way toward a healthier and drug-free future.

Essential Elements of Valid Contract (Explained With Examples)

What is World Population? Main Causes, Effects, Top 20 Countries

Director General
Additional Director General
Web Articles
Issue Briefs
Manekshaw Papers
CLAWS Journal
Scholar Warrior
Strategic Studies: Essays
Intern Articles
US, EU & Russia
South East & East Asia
Afghanistan
National Security Strategy
Nuclear Deterrence
Statecraft – Non Military
Military Technology – Space & Cyber
Acquisitions & Offsets Procurement
Management, Finance & Human Resources
Information Warfare
Military Doctrine & Strategy
Spectrum of Conflict
Internal Security
Military History
Disaster Management
Peace Keeping Operations
Security Laws
Webinars / RTD
Web Archive
About The Initiative
Admission: Eligibility and Procedure
Important Information
Administration
Guides | Supervisors
Advertise With Us

‘War on Drugs’ Campaign- Means to End Drug Trafficking in Manipur?

Progress and development are slowly but steadily taking place in Manipur, focussing on physical connectivity, new infrastructural projects, promoting tourism, and building new educational institutions and other related parameters to facilitate a secure life and prosperous economy. This will further contribute to empowering the state and the people as a platform for India’s Act East Policy by connecting with Southeast Asian (SEA) nations and beyond. Nevertheless, this new light at the end of the tunnel gets perturbed due to the widespread prevalence of drug trafficking via the porous Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB) and the increase in the number of drug users in the state . Drug trafficking is not a new trend in the state; however, the unprecedented rise of poppy cultivation raises a red signal that adversely impacts the northeast regions (NER) and the rest of India.

Drug mafias or drug kingpins have developed a strong network with Manipur and Myanmar to smuggle poppy out to Golden Triangle and vice versa. To uproot such detrimental threats from the soil, the state government launched campaigns such as ‘Nisha Thadoklasi’ and ‘War on Drugs in 2018. Under this campaign, the Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri Nongthombam Biren, aimed to destroy illegal poppy cultivation in hill regions, curtailing its distribution and trade using coercive and non-coercive methods [i] . However, the recent confiscation of drugs, a total of 44.5 Kg of ‘World is Yours (WY) tablets, aka ‘party drugs’ worth Rs 9 crores and another few Kg of WY tablets of Rs 5 crores in May and August 2022, respectively in Tengnoupal district of Manipur, bordering Myanmar [ii] exemplified that it is an issue that needs serious actions. There is no estimate of those unrecorded confiscations. Given the complexity of the problem, will the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign be a solution to the problem in the state?

Tobacco products, Ganja (marijuana), Alcohol, Opium, Spasmo Proxivon ( SP), Methamphetamine (WY), Codeine cough syrup, Pseudo-Epherine etc., [iii] are some of the easily accessible drugs available in the state. Among all, opium, methamphetamine and heroin are illegally transported from Myanmar through Lashio, Mandalay and Bhamo to Manipur and Mizoram via Moreh and Champhai, respectively [iv] . In Manipur, drug trafficking remains no longer a local trade; it has become a multi-national business involving drug mafias from countries such as China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal [v] . Similarly, other northeastern states bordering Myanmar have clandestine networks to carry out this illegal and notorious business. Figure 1 shows the diagrammatic illustration of the nucleus of drug trafficking in northeast India. From this point onwards, it further circulates the smuggled drugs to the rest of the country.

Figure 1: Nucleus of Drug Trafficking in Northeast India

Source: Pushpita Das (2018), “Security Challenges and the Management of the Indo-Myanmar Border”, Adapted by Author

Figure 2 illustrates drugs that affected NER, mainly those sharing borders with Myanmar.

Figure 2: Impact of Drugs in Northeastern States

Source: https://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Magnitude_Substance_Use_India_REPORT.pdf

The massive growth of illegal poppies in remote areas of Ukhrul, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Churachanpur and Tengnoupal districts of Manipur [Vi] , with massive investments by drug mafias has resulted in urea shortage in the state [Vii] . To control the same, the Manipur Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) department reported that 963 drug traffickers, including 768 men and 195 women, were detained between April 27 and June 2019 under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act [Viii] . Law Enforcement agencies destroyed 1,420 acres of poppy plantation between 2020 and February 2021 [iX] . In the same year, Chief Minister N Biren Singh rewarded total cash of Rs 10 lakh to a village in Ukhrul district for voluntarily destroying poppy plants grown in the village [X] . Nevertheless, the problem persists. Hence, this coercive method does not seem effective in the long run until the government looks at the root causes of the problems and the reasons that push people to take the wrong path.

Socio-economically, the poppy cultivators belong to the most underprivileged section of society. They constantly struggle for basic amenities for their survival. Therefore, they are compelled to grow poppy because it is a profitable occupation, easy to grow along with other crops with the availability of cheap labour. Poppy cultivation is a ‘magic potion’ for them to get rid of their poverty [XI] , while the investment comes from drug kingpins [XII] .

Nevertheless, destroying poppies using a coercive method is not the right approach. This approach failed in countries like Afghanistan when the Taliban tried to ban opium in the country; the same happened in Thailand and Laos [XIII] . Instead, adopting alternative methods such as introducing development livelihood programmes for the cultivators to cultivate new crops such as ginger, cardamom, and lemongrass as substitute crops to replace poppy, facilitating proper rehabilitation, and a fair amount of compensation [XIV] [XV] without targeting them as ‘poppy victims’ will gradually reduce the production of opium in the state [XVI] . This alternate method has been a successful approach in the aforementioned three countries. It will have a’ balloon effect’ without offering any alternatives and compensation for their crops, wherein the farmers will shift the poppy cultivation to the remotest areas [XVII] . Similarly, the drug mafias and drug kingpins will find other ways to continue their business by building a new and more robust network with producers, smugglers and traders.

Reports have shown the increasing instances of alcoholism and drug addicts rising ‘ to cope with the frustration in life due to lack of opportunities, poverty, unemployment, broken family or sometimes for self-amusement or to accompany friends [xviii] . Drug addicts or abusers are mostly the state’s youth since these substances are readily available at low prices. Therefore, the government must pay proper attention by looking at the inadequacy of social institutions to curb and prevent the youth from indulging in this risky habit [xix] . The usage of opium is engrained in the customs and traditions of the Manipuri society since raw opium and ganja were used as medicine or painkiller during childbirth or for religious purposes in ancient times [xx] . In addition, alcohol too is used in various social functions though it has been banned since 1991. However, the recent legalisation of liquor sales in 2022 led to dissatisfaction and demand for the government to reconsider this decision. Therefore, abolishing alcohol and eradicating illegal drug smuggling will be an onerous task if the government focuses only on coercive methods. The nexus of politicians with drug mafias involved in drug trafficking must be checked with necessary actions to uproot it entirely from society.

The government must focus on the development of the people, enhance their skills, and provide them with jobs and other related necessities in their lives. Along with stringent laws for illegal drugs and their associated activities, all sections of the society, including the local population, civil society organisations, political class, student unions and Meira Paibi/Women Torch Bearers of Manipur, should come together and fight against this societal evil. In addition, the IMB needs to be checked since the source of the influx of illegal drugs in the state comes from this porous border. Revision of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) is required with the effective functioning of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) and Land Custom Station (LCS) at the border. Otherwise, a new Golden Triangle will be emerged in India’s northeast region, reigniting the dormant insurgency with drug-induced finances. Lastly, Manipur, a potential pivot for India’s Act East policy connecting India with SEA nations, will become an insurmountable security challenge if the problem of drug trafficking is not tackled seriously.

[i] ’Nisha Thadoklasi”, Manipur Govt Declares war on drugs’, mygov, 31 July 2019, https://blog.mygov.in/nisha-thadoklasi-manipur-govt-declares-war-on-drugs/

[ii] K Sarojkumar Sharma (2022), “Rs 5 crore party drugs Seized in Manipur’s Tengnoupal District, 1 Held”, The Times of India, August 28, 2022, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/rs-5-crore-party-drugs-seized-in-manipurs-tengnoupal-1-held/articleshow/93827388.cms

[iii] “Magnitude of Substance Use In India (2019)”, https://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Magnitude_Substance_Use_India_REPORT.pdf

[iv] Pushpita Das (2018), “Security Challenges and the Management of the Indo-Myanmar Border”, Startegic Analysis, 42, 6 (2018), Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09700161.2018.1557932?needAccess=true

[v] “Drug Smuggling from/through Manipur”, E-Pao http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=news_section.editorial.editorial_2021.Drug_smuggling_from_through_Manipur_TSE_20211122

[vi] Lily Sangpui and Jenny Kapngaihlian (2021), “ The Quest to End Illicit Poppy Cultivation in Manipur: Examining the War on Drugs Campaign”, Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. 56, Issue No. 32, 07 Aug, 2021, https://www.epw.in/engage/article/quest-end-illicit-poppy-cultivation-manipur

[vii] “Manipur: Congress Poll Observer Accuses Government of Diverting Urea Supply to Poppy Cultivation (2021)”, https://www.northeasttoday.in/2021/09/01/manipur-congress-poll-observer-accuses-government-of-diverting-urea-supply-to-poppy-cultivation/

[ix] “1420 Acres of Illicit Poppy Plantation Destroyed in 2020-2021, Sentinel, 11 January (2021) https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/manipur/manipur-1420-acres-of-illicit-poppy-plantation-destroyed-in-2020-2021-

[x] Prasanta Mazumdar (2021), “Maniour govt diverting urea for poppy plantations, claims Jairam Ramesh, The Indian Express, https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/aug/31/manipur-govt-diverting-urea-for-poppy-plantations-claims-jairam-ramesh-2352363.html

[xiii] David Mansfield and Adam Pain (2005), “Alternative Livelihoods: Substance or Slogan? Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, Briefing Paper Series

[xiv] Ngamjahao Kipgen (2019), “ Why Farmers in Manipur Cultivating Poppy?”, Economic and Political Weekly, https://www.epw.in/engage/article/why-are-farmers-manipur-cultivating-poppy

[xv] K Sarojkumar Sharma (2017), “Lemongrass to replace illegal poppy farming in Manipur”, The Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/lemongrass-to-replace-illegal-poppy-farming-in-manipur/articleshow/58237749.cms

[xvii] Ibid

[xviii] Sanjenbam Jugeshor Singh (2022),”Menace of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse in Manipur”, The Frontier Manipur, April 23, 2022, https://thefrontiermanipur.com/menace-of-alcoholism-drug-abuse-in-manipur/