MEMORANDUM
INJECTABLE DRUG ABUSE: GROWING CHALLENGE IN NORTH-EASTERN PART OF INDIA
FROM: AE28697
TO: Ministry of development of north east affairs, India
RE: Scenario C-Health and harm reduction
DATE: 19 October 2013
Introduction
North-east (NE) India is connected to remaining part of India through a constricted passage known as Siliguri Corridor squeezed between Nepal and Bangladesh (Hussain, 2011). It comprises of seven sister states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. The region shares more than 4500 km of international border with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The region is presently facing acute problem of drug addicts who operate in groups and prefer administration through
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Sources reveal the trans-border smuggling routes starting from Khamti (Myanmar) to Noklak and Mokokchung in Nagaland (India), from Mandalay (Myanmar) via Tamu to Moreh in Manipur (India) and from Homalin (Myanmar) to Kohima (India) (Dolabhai, 2003).
Recommendations
The present scenario of drug abuse in NE India is very alarming as the future of the states is in ruin. Three simultaneous actions are recommended to resolve the problem. These are checking the trans-border smuggling of drugs, tackling the existing drug users and deterring fresh case. These can be implemented through strict vigil, Systematic De-addiction and Rehabilitation Programme (SDRP) and by generating scope for healthy livelihood.
Strict Vigil The very first challenge is to impose strict check at the international borders again drug trafficking. The second challenge is to increase awareness regarding the adverse effect of drug abuse through mass campaigning. Young Mizo Association (YMA), a local organization created by the youths of Mizoram observed that drug abuse cases in the state in decline. Since 2004, 143 drugs related death case has been reported and by June 2008, the same has come down to only four. However, harsh punishment method employed by YMA called 'Supply Reduction Service' drew flak from many quarters including the local media the human rights activists. (Outlook India, 2008)
Systematic De-addiction and Rehabilitation Programmes Withdrawal symptoms of
The drug abuse is the most serious issue not only in United States but other parts of the world too. The statistic has shown that 24.4million of American including teens from age of 12, had used an illegal drugs. The primary purpose of drug is a medicine which is to cure diseases, but people in United States nowadays, have misused the usage of drugs by consuming them without recommendation or supervision from the expert.
“Drug policy regarding the control of the traditional illicit substances (opiates, cocaine, cannabis) is currently moving through upbeat times in almost all Western countries. Prohibition on the basis of repressive law enforcement not only seems to fail on a large scale, but also to create vast additional costs, problems, and harm for drug consumers, who often find themselves in extreme social, economic, and health conditions” (Fischer 1995: 389).
Many drug addicts do not have jobs or any legal means of generating income; they resolve to criminal activities such as theft, robbery, or aggressive panhandling. Due to the addictive nature of drugs, the user will be compelled to want more and more in order to continue feeling “normal”. It is what fuels their addiction and as a result, a lack of motivation to do anything other than obtaining more drugs. The drug addict’s family suffers from the effects of the drug addiction as well through emotional stress and psychological decay. Drug addicts also encourage illegal drug trafficking by helping fund criminal organizations. In fact, drug addicts are the reason why the billion dollar drug industry is as lucrative as it is. Without drug addicts, drug traffickers would have no customers or buyers to help generate income. Huge amounts of tax revenue is going towards the war on drugs which includes money going into police departments, border agencies, harm reduction programs, and anti-drug campaigns. The tax money being used to fight drugs could be used to better our education or health systems; instead it is being used to fund harm reduction programs such as Insite.
Heroin, methamphetamine, and opioids have been around for centuries and the use of these drugs is not a new phenomenon. The use of injection drugs causes individual’s serious harm and have placed large expenses on the health care system. “Heroin, cocaine and other drugs kill around 0.2 million people each year, shattering families and bringing misery to thousands of other people” (United Nations iii); Because of-these incidents harm reduction strategies have been put in place to create a safer and more educated population, but it has only been a start. ‘Safe injection sites’ has become a well talked about term in the last decade. The term itself refers to a physical place
The high rate drug is being used have got the law maker attention. Government have got the society into believing that adding a few law will stop the use of drugs. Consequently, government officials have implemented programs to help reduce social damages in the society
The very same items a doctor prescribes to help people get well might be making them sick. Prescription drugs are being taken for reasons other than the ones they are being prescribed for, fueling an addiction that impacts as many as 48 million Americans ("Prescription Drug Abuse" WebMD). According to MedLinePlus, "an estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse." While a considerable amount of time, resources, and attention are focused on the problems associated with illicit drugs, prescription drug abuse is "an increasing problem," with very serious consequences for individuals, families, and communities (MayoClinic Staff). The United States Office of National Drug Control Policy claims, "Prescription drug abuse is the Nation's fastest-growing drug problem, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified prescription drug abuse as an epidemic." Because prescription drugs are viewed as safe due to their being part of the doctor's pharmacopeia, the same psychological, legal, ethical, and social barriers to abuse might not be present. However, prescription drug abuse creates a wide range of problems, including dangerous or lethal side effects, long-term addiction, and the dismantling of family and community
es and non-prescription drug abuse among minors with the misguided insight that their use is safer than the illegal drugs. Through an online survey, the researchers collect data on the issue and correlate with specific variables such as community stigma, apparent risk and the access to the drugs. The authors discover a positive correlation. This study will aid in gaining an in-depth understanding of the exact nature of relation between community stigma, apparent risk and the access to the drugs to drug abuse in the society. It will serve as viable literature in identifying the various ways and procedures to limit and observe the access of these drugs to adolescents. 2. Goebel, J. R., Compton, P., Zubkoff, L., Lanto, A., Asch, S. M., Sherbourne,
Prescription drug abuse is not a new problem within our society. Prescription drug abuse has in fact been an ongoing problem that is currently spinning out of control. There are many people within our society that are currently dealing with prescription drug addiction. Prescription drug abuse is the intentional use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as prescribed; or for the experience or feeling it causes (The Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction, 2014). Prescription drugs are developed to assist with various medical problems, and when prescribed by a medical professional are helpful for patients. The using prescriptions for those other than intended for may cause a number of serious issues
In the last two years, strategies of tackling prescription drug abuse have started showing promise. However, does it mean that this reduction will amount to an increase in illicit drug abuse? Citing on statistics from the UK and USA, Owens explains the global relevance of the abuse issue that has since eaten into most populations in other developed countries. In particular, differences in prescription worldwide are a determiner in the extent of drug abuse in many populations. Finally, the author outlines the various methods that could be utilized in the deterring of drug abuse. He advises various administrative agencies to take the matter seriously, through use of technology and prevent dependence on drugs. AS the most current article in the selection, the text will aid in understanding current problems and future areas of research into the
The “War on Drugs” has been a hot topic for several decades in the United States. The argument for the success of this campaign usually varies depending on one’s political affiliation. The government handled the ongoing campaign differently with each new administration taking command, most of them having no little success. The fact of the matter is that the ideal of a “drug free civilization” is far from reality. The world is coming to terms that the various drug-fighting programs across the world are not producing the desired results. In fact, UN Office on Drugs and Crime doesn’t publicly aspire to reach a drug-free world. That wishful scenario seems very close to impossible at this moment. The office biggest claim to fame is that that the international drug markets have stabilized, which is not very optimistic.
Despite the great investments in the War on Drugs, such efforts can be seen to be causing more harm than good. These attempts have further failed to meet its objectives, given that the drug menace continues to persist. The efforts are characterized by federal and local law enforcement agencies constantly engaged in implementation activities such as cracking down on traffickers, dealers and users of the drugs, in the endeavor to stem the movement of the narcotics.
An Overview for Substance Abuse, is an article that focuses on whether the use of any kind of substance is recreational use or is it classified as abuse. The purpose of the article is to inform people on whether they are abusing the substance or not. The article lists the most common illegal drugs used and also tells you what legal drugs are addictive. Some of the information is to tell you how many people in the world is addicted and how many people got help. The article talks about why our country has put laws on this situation and it is because of our society. The information for the article was gathered from The World Health Organization, John Hopkins Medicine Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration,
“The scientific method leads us to truths that are less than self-evident, often mind-blowing, and sometimes hard to swallow.” (Achenbach) People might read something that they don’t particularly agree with, in either the newspaper, the internet, or even in magazines, but it possibly is written by an expert in the field. Then which results that people don’t believe the expert since it doesn’t go along with what individuals think. Now for example, the abuse of prescription pills is becoming a widespread problem in the United States. Folks think that those who are abusing the prescribed medication are doing it because they want to, not realizing that most of the persons consuming the painkillers are struggling with discontinuing the use of the
Suicide, Anxiety, Anger, Depression and constant disobedience can all be a part of drug usage. Along with brain damage and lung damage. Countless teens around the world use drugs for social advantages.The United States represents 5% of the world's population and 75% of prescription drugs taken. 60% of teen who abuse prescription drugs get them free from friends and relatives. Doctors are already training to find ways to help.If teens smoke to much it can cause them to die or overdose.
I spent my pre-teen and early teenage years in Amritsar, a medium sized city along the India-Pakistan border in the state of Punjab. Amritsar is considered to be the holy place for the Sikhs who visit Golden Temple the Vatican for Sikhs. Punjab use to be a state that boasted freedom fighters, healthy and strong people and a rich heritage, but after 2000 the state fell in the trap of drug addiction. According NY Times, 60% drugs seized in entire India are seized from the state of Punjab. Being neighboring state to Pakistan the state has become a major route for drug trafficking. A small, impoverished neighborhood in Amritsar, Maqboolpura, is often referred as the village of Widows because of the number of men who have lost their lives to drug addiction. The burgeoning of drugs has led to an upsurge in H.I.V positive people. Just to obviate the spread of H.I.V some NGO’s distribute clean syringes to addicts. This problem has not been