As an expression of its determination to strengthen global cooperation and to achieve goal of a drug free society, UN General assembly decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking by resolution 42/112 of December 1987.This global observance of the day aims to launch awareness of the major problem that drug abuse and trafficking presents to our society. It is an important occasion to understand the challenges and nefarious effects of illicit drugs on individuals and on society at large. Drugs abuse is an increasingly complex security, social and health problem that affects millions of people in India and across the globe. The drug market and illicit trafficking generates huge profits for organized crime and is estimated to be the source of approximately one fifth of global crime proceeds.
There is a worldwide consensus that misuse of narcotics and drugs is on the rise and India is no exception to this. Drug abuse in India is prevalent and has also seen a sharp rise during the last few years, as of now around 15.8 million children aged between 10 and 17 years are addicted to substances in India, as per the study conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) 14.6% of the Indian population uses alcohol. It is higher among men than women. It was found that 2.8% of the population uses cannabis. The different types of substance abuse prevalent in India include the alcohol, cannabis, opioids, sedatives, inhalants, cocaine, amphetamine Stimulants and hallucinogens. Basically India is sandwiched between the two largest Opium producing regions of the world that is the Golden triangle on one side and the Golden crescent on the other.
The golden crescent area includes Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran while as the golden triangle area comprises Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. The northern part of India especially Punjab and J&K have lately been severely affected by drugs. Jammu and Kashmir, especially the valley is slowly becoming a drug hub in Northern India, having more than 67,000 drug abusers, of which 90 percent are heroin addicts, using more than 33,000 syringes daily. Other drugs such as brown sugar, cocaine, and marijuana are also being used within the Valley and in many parts of the Jammu region. With 2.5 percent of the population using drugs, Kashmir is unfortunately emerging as the country’s top-drug-affected region which could have serious consequences on our future generations.
Last year In a state-level narcotic coordination committee meeting chaired by the Chief Sectary revealed that at least six lakh residents were affected by drug-related issues in Jammu and Kashmir. It is not only a serious health issue but also a serious economic catastrophe. On average, annually INR 88,000 are spent by a drug abuser in the Valley, increasing Kashmir’s crime rate and wasting economic sources. There are a number of factors which are attributed to the reasons behind the growing drug menace. There are many people who think that growing unemployment and sometimes unempolyablity leads to depression, anxiety and ultimately to drug addiction. There are also many cases where it has been found that teen age boys were addicted to drugs in schools and colleges by taking drugs and substances for recreational purposes or under peer pressure. Growing family feuds and crime in the society has also contributed towards the spread of drugs in the valley. The most worrying thing is that there is a huge mafia that is associated with the trafficking network and young boys and girls are deliberately trapped to boost the trade of drugs in the valley.
There is a loud clamor on the growing drugs and substance abuse in the valley, many people talk about the issue, seminars and debates are held and rallies are organized but very few people talk about the solution. Lot of drug addicts have been arrested punished and jailed over the last few years. Unfortunately the situation on the ground has only worsened because the figures are alarming. In order to adopt a different approach to deal with the problem, an out of the box solution has to be searched and it is possible only by the close coordination of various stakeholders especially the local administration and the civil society.
Interestingly, the theme of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023 is ‘People first: stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.’ It is based on the idea that there are better ways to control drug addiction than to just punish the victim. Addiction is a disease; people can get addicted to drugs faster and easier than other people due to how people are brought up or even their social fabric. No one would get punished for having any other kind of disease, so why punish someone for a drug addiction. Not all those who use drugs commit serious crimes. Punishing someone for being a drug addict is not going to solve the problem. Punishing, instead of helping the addicts could actually do more harm than good; it could make the addict think that everyone is against them rather than wanting to help them. The addicts are already going through a lot of mental trauma and even due to the withdrawal symptoms the drugs cause like anxiety, depression, and hallucinations.
Observance of such days or occasions should not be restricted to awareness or sensitization only but there is a need to re-orient our thinking towards the drug menace, it is not to be dealt as a crime but a health condition which needs due care and counseling. A rehabilitation centre is always going to be more helpful than a Jail. It is also less complicated to prefer counseling over police action. The prism of criminality should be restricted to the mafia involved in the trafficking.
The significance of the day lies in the pledge to stop taking or encouraging drugs and put health first. International Drug Day promotes the need for more effective drug recovery and rehabilitation centers that are also more easily accessible to the victims. This day inspires everyone to work together to eradicate drug abuse from the globe. Let’s spread the message among the youth to say Yes to life and No to Drugs.
(The Author is a Freelance writer columnist and academician and can be reached at [email protected])
