Udta Punjab: Drug abuse continues to rise among youth

Humanity is passing through testing times once again. What with the menace of terrorism frequently making its violent presence felt in several places, the scourge of climate change causing alarmingly adverse impacts on the economies of several countries, armed conflict between countries continuing to take place, even in this digital age and that, on account of causes both obsolete and irrelevant,the originally promising adventure of artificial intelligence now posing hitherto unknown threats in various walks of life, the problem of drug dependence is only adding fuel to the fire.

The history of use and abuse of psychoactive substances is as old as that of civilizations.

Human beings have been using various forms of substances derived from plants, as well as alcohol for thousands of years. Recorded history indicates that some of these substances were used not just for their presumed therapeutic effects, but also for recreational purposes to enhance pleasure and relieve stress.

The global drug problem is a complex challenge affecting millions of people worldwide. Close to 300 million people of the world consume one drug or the other and the trade in this dangerous product, a business, next, only to petroleum, arms, trade, records a turnover of $500 billions each year. A truly grim picture, indeed!

Addiction to narcotic drugs of various types leads to loss of productivity, transmission of infectious diseases, family and social disorders, crime, and excessive ---- utilization of healthcare. The drug problem is deeply connected to organized crime, corruption, economic crime, and terrorism. To address this challenge successfully, it is crucial to adopt a science-based, evidence-driven approach that prioritizes prevention and treatment supported by strong political will and ruthless policy initiatives across countries.

The need effectively to address the challenge through the adoption of a science – based, evidence – driven approach that prioritises prevention and treatment was recognised early in the 20th century. In the vast majority of countries, illicit cultivation of drug crops, diversion of precursors and drug trafficking are criminal offences.

Evidence-based drug prevention programmes can safeguard individuals and communities and also weaken the illicit economies that exploit human misery.

The first ever International Conference on Narcotic Drugs was held in Shanghai in 1909. In the following decades, a multilateral system was established to control the production, traffic and illicit trading of drugs.

In 2009, governments adopted the Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem, which includes goals and targets for drug control.

The issue is also assessed at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supports NGOs participation in relevant drug-related policy discussions and meetings, particularly the CND regular and inter sessional meetings and encourages the increased dialogue between NGOs, member states and UN entities, through the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC). Active participation from civil society, non-governmental organizations, community groups, labour unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based groups, professional associations, and foundations is crucial in supporting the UN's efforts to fulfill its global mandates effectively.

The UNODC also provides opportunities for youth to actively participate in efforts to prevent substance use. This programme enables young people to join a community of peers committed to promoting health and well-being.

India has not been able to escape the onslaught of the raging academic either. In the state of Punjab, in particular, drug abuse has acquired the proportion of a pestilence that has shaken the entire society. With every third person hooked to drug other than alcohol and tobacco, the situation is causing serious concern. The menace has acquired the proportions of a pestilence that has shaken the entire society in the state. It is observed that in Punjab “drug abuse” is a raging epidemic, especially among the young.

The problem of drug abuse in youth of Punjab is a matter of serious concern as every third person is hooked to drugs other than alcohol. Like most social behaviours the etiology of substance abuse is complex, varying through time, geographical regions and by demographic characteristics.

Among young people, students are the most vulnerable group as the initiation into substance abuse first starts during this period. Adolescence is the critical period when the first initiation of substance abuse takes place.

Among the adolescents, students are particularly vulnerable due to various reasons like academic pressure, temptation by peer groups, the lure of popularity and identification and easy availability of many such substances like tobacco (cigarettes) and other psychoactive drugs.

Changing social values, globalization, violence and conflict ridden cultures in nations across the world have undoubtedly added tremendous stress on all human beings and especially adolescents and young adult population making them vulnerable to substance abuse.

They need to adopt a multi-pronged approach to the task which should comprise being accessible and open minded, discussion with the child issue of peer pressure leading to the habit, and also set an example by pointing out how, by avoiding the temptation at the appropriate time in one’s life, one was able to lead a healthy and happy life.

The government and the society at large should also work towards spreading the knowledge about substance abuse and its prevention. Opening a larger number of drug dependence treatment and counselling centres at the district level to provide a comprehensive package essential to treat and counsel, under expert medical supervision, people involved in the eradicating the social evil is a crucial first step.

Sudden stoppage of the usage of drugs can lead to acute withdrawal symptoms which, if not handled by competent medical supervision, can produce a range of symptoms, including violent illness.

I have personal experience of this phenomenon as, after 55 years of being habituated to smoking, I gave it up abruptly one day. However, I was fortunate not to have any withdrawal symptoms and, therefore, required no treatment. This may not, however, be the case with all addicts.

I recollect, in this context, my experience with a senior colleague of mine, while I was working, in 1976-77, in Hyderabad. He was probably the most brilliant person in the Service at that time, certainly in the Andhra Pradesh cadre. He had an IQ bordering on what is associated with genius. He had been hospitalised for overdosing in narcotic drugs, and I was asked to spend a day with him by another senior colleague.

As I entered his room he greeted me with the remark that there was nothing, tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, which he began to consume, which did not become a habit with him! Within minutes he suggested a game of chess and, seconds thereafter, checkmated me with what is known as the ‘Fool’s Mate’, which good players use against rookies! He succumbed soon thereafter to the after effects of his illness and the Service and the people of the state lost the advantage of the contribution of one of the finest minds in the country. All because of drug addiction.

The beneficial effects of some substances, such as, for instance, alcohol, or narcotic drugs, like cocaine, which are otherwise regarded as harmful to health, has been emphasised in several contexts. Likewise, the shining star of Urdu poetry, the immortal Mirza Ghalib says, in one of his couplets,

“.....;.ekgunabekhudimujhe din raatchaahiye……”

or that he always needed a modicum of intoxication to rein in his otherwise uncontrollable imagination, dwelling endlessly on the misery caused by the injustice in the world.

Then there was this most interesting character, Girisam, in the in immortal work, ‘Kanyasulkam’, of the gifted Telugu author and social reformer, Gurajada Apparao, which dealt with the heinous practice of selling unmarried young girls to elderly people, often in a second marriage. In one context in that book, Girisam lightheartedly relates an imaginary story about the Lord of the bird kingdom and the mount of Lord Vishnu, ‘Garuda’ also known as ‘Khagapati’, carrying a bowl of nectar in a bowl while flying in the sky. A drop of nectar falls to the ground and, in Girisam’s imagination, gives birth to the first ever tobacco plant! Girisam goes on to make a derisive statement that those who do not smoke tobacco will, in the next birth, be born as bulls!

(The author is former Chief Secretary of united AP)