Opinion | Drug addiction and the challenges to Curb it 

CLASSIFICATION OF THE DRUGS
1. LICIT DRUGS – legally allowed for trade and consumption.
2. ILLICIT DRUGS – trade and consumptions are strictly prohibited.
3. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS – cough syrups, pain killers, anti-anxiety medications, anti-epileptics.
LICIT DRUGS
SM0KING IN INDIA
120 million smokers in India.12% of the total world smoker population in india.29% of adults smoke in India.13% to 15% females smoke in India. More than 1 million die due adverse effects of smoking in India in a Callender year.2 people die every minute due to the deadly effects of tobacco use. 35% men and 5.1 women are smokers in Kashmir.Rs 850 CRORE annually on purchasing cigarettes and tobacco in the state. Alone Kashmir spends 600 crores per year. Kashmir has 12% CIGARETTE SMOKERS, 3.8% bidi smokers and 8.0% smokeless tobacco users.260 MILLION CIGARETTE sticks used Jammu & Kashmir in a month. Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) has tallied that around 35.2% of the population of Jammu and Kashmir is using tobacco products, in one form or the other. In 2022-23 around 8000 challans were produced and around Rs. 3 lakhs collected from offenders smoking at public places’ holds 4th position across India in the ranking of smoking population. Kupwara has reached number one in smoking population with 56.6%, followed by Shopian 52%, Anantnag 49.9, Budgam 48.8%. Jammu has least population of smokers with 26.5%. J&K State has been labeled as the lung cancer capital of India. 4750 per100,000 COPD along with Uttarakhand, Himachal and Haryana.
SMOKING
DO YOU KNOW?
One third of all cancers in India are tobacco related.90% of oral cancers are due to tobacco use.50% of all cancers in man are due to tobacco use 25% of all cancers in woman are due to tobacco use. 90% of lung cancer deaths are caused due to smoking.

IS…TOBACCO A DRUG? (TOBACCO HAS ALL FEATURES OF DRUGS)
One temporarily feels well,”
It increases dependence,
It causes cravings.
Users find a momentarily escape,
One can’t stop using it,
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN INDIA
27.3% of males and 1% female population are consuming alcohol in India.6 crore alcohol consumers suffer from alcohol related harmful effects.
ILLICIT DRUGS
OPIUM. Dried latex obtained from the poppy capsule.
BROWN SUGAR .. Smoked, chased, intravenous, skin popping.
CANNABIS (Bhang, Charas, Ganja, )
PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS
Morphine injections, Pentazocine (fortwin) Injections, Dextropropoxyphene (spasmoproxyvon) tab, Tramadol tablets and injections.

WORLD DRUG SCENARIO
Drug use is directly and indirectly responsible for 11.8 million deaths each year. Smoking, alcohol, and drug use is an important risk factor for early death: 11.4 million die prematurely as a result each year. Over 350,000 dies from overdoses (alcohol and illicit drug use disorders) each year. Substance use disorders are much more common in men. More than half of those who die from alcohol or drug overdoses are younger than 50. 1.5% of global disease burden results from alcohol and illicit drug addiction; in some countries it’s over 5%.
ILLICIT DRUG SCENARIO IN INDIA
15th sept 2021 3000kg worth Rs.21000 crore seized from Mundra port Gujrat imported from Bander Abbas port Iran, 31 August 2021 drugs worth 100cr seized in Punjab,21 July 2021drugs worth 2500cr seized in Delhi, July 2021drugs worth 850cr seized in Maharashtra, May 2021drugs worth 250cr seized in Delhi,2.6%(approximately 3 crore) Indian population involved in drug abuse,60 lakh population suffer from opioid use disorders, Commonly used drug is opium.
JAMMU &ASHMIR SCENARIO (A Conflict Zone)
1. Ministry of social justice and empowerment reports 13.50 lac drug addicts in J&K. In last 3 years 1500% increase .2. IMHANS Receives 150 drug addicts/day 3. 33 thousand syringes used in a day for heroin injections.4. Youth are most vulnerable to drug abuse. Over 80% of addicts are between the ages 17 – 35. 5.The young school going population getting involved with drug addiction showing an alarming trend especially to solvent abuse. 6.The rural and urban population equally affected across all socio- economic status
EXPENDITURE IN 2 DISTRICTS
The daily consumption of opioids in the two districts of Anantnag and Srinagar is about 3.7 crores. (A survey conducted by a team of experts from IMHANS (Institute of mental health and neurosciences) Srinagar)
WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS (IN THE FIRST PLACE)
A) TO FEEL GOOD- (TO HAVE NOVAL)
feeling, sensation, experiences and to share them.
B) TO FEEL BETTER- (TO LESSEN)
anxiety, worries, fears, depression, hopelessness
Risk factors for drug addiction
Genetic and family factors
Family history of alcoholism, addiction, or anti-social behaviour
Family modelling of substance use behaviour.
Poor parenting skills, family dysfunction
Permissive attitude towards teen use
Increased household conflict, family chaos
Child abuse or neglect (sexual or physical)
Psychological factors
Difficulty in controlling impulses.
Strong need for excitement
Feelings of rejection
Aggression
Anxiety and depression
Mental illness
Dual ( co-occurring disorders)
Environmental factors
Peer group pressure
Easy access early access
Community / neighbourhood deterioration / disorganisation
Advertising and media portrayal

DRUG EFFECTS
1.social 2. Economic 3. Medical 4. criminal

SMOKING
DO YOU KNOW?
One third of all cancers in India are tobacco related.90% of oral cancers are due to tobacco use.50% of all cancers in man are due to tobacco use.25% of all cancers in woman are due to tobacco use.90% of lung cancer deaths are caused due to smoking.

TIPS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Academics, changing behaviors, Eating patterns, Pocket money.
Absenteeism, Personality (Dress, valuables, lying),

TREATMENT.
Help, support, advice, and guidance

CONCLLUSSION
Drug abuse remains a big challenge in present scenario of the UT of J&K especially the Kashmir region to the north Kashmir, which is a transit route for these drugs smuggled from across the border.
After observing the events and conditions for last 4 years while working for control the drug abuse by organising different seminars at different places including schools , colleges, and other places in border district of Kupwara, I came to the conclusion with some disappointing observation which are responsible for the failure to control this menace, and even adding more to worse the situation is that there is 1500% increase in drug addiction cases during last 3 years.
If I am not harsh, we are not sincere in our efforts to control this drug addiction from our society, when I say we, I mean, a parent, a teacher, a social activist or a community member. We can see a lot of activities are being carried by different organisations for this particular purpose but unfortunately, we are not able to get desired results except media publicity, photo sessions being done to upload for the appraisal of the higher authorities and general public to please them.
During the current year 2023 I with my mental health team have done more than 40 seminars in schools and colleges of district Kupwara., I’m very thankful to students who had shown their interest in such programmes by participating in interactive sessions and clearing there doubts.
It is not teachers only but parents also who are least bothered about the future generations and awakened only when their own kid gets involved. Being a parent if I am asking my son/daughter to bring cigarette from market or smoke before them, I have no right to ask him/her not to smoke. In maximum cases cigarette smoking is the first for heroin/ brown sugar consumption/addiction. So we have to nib the evil in the bud. It is our collective responsibility to make our society a drug free society, otherwise…………DRUGS END ALL DREAMS… (DEAD)

DR. JAVEED IQBAL DAR (MD)
Sr. Medical officer (H)
Govt medical college Handwara
drjavid9.jd@gmail.com