COMPARISON BETWEEN DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM BETWEEN THREE COUNTRIES ( IRAN, AFGHANISTAN AND INDIA)

 

COMPARISON BETWEEN DRUG ABUSE PROBLEM BETWEEN THREE COUNTRIES ( IRAN, AFGHANISTAN AND INDIA)

 

WRITTEN BY: JUHI SAXENA

5^TH YEAR, B.A.LL.B(HONS)

AMITY UNIVERSITY LUCKNOW

 

EDITED BY: MUSKAN PRASAD

4^TH YEAR, B.A.LL.B(HONS)

AMITY LAW SCHOOL, NOIDA

 

 

INTRODUCTION

The misuse or excessive use of drugs, whether they are legal or illicit, can have a severe impact on one's physical as well as mental health along social well-being. It entails the routine use of medications for purposes other than those for which they were designed, frequently resulting in addiction and negative outcomes.

Alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription opioids, and benzodiazepines are among the substances that are frequently misused. Abuse of drugs can have a variety of negative outcomes, including loss of judgment, cognitive decline, physical health issues, financial hardships, marital problems, and legal challenges.

Drug misuse must be prevented and addressed holistically, with education, awareness campaigns, early intervention, accessibility to treatment and counselling facilities, support from family and the community, and effective law enforcement to stop drug trafficking.

IRAN

Iran's drug usage history is complicated and spans several years. Due to its strategic location between Afghanistan, among the world's largest opium producers, and Europe, Iran has been a significant transit route for drug trafficking. Iran's drug abuse problem has received substantial attention throughout the 1980s and 1990s[1].

Many Iranians developed opium addictions during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s because it was widely available at that moment available. The government then put severe controls in place during the ensuing years to impose severe punishments for drug-related offences to combat drug misuse.

Despite these measures, drug misuse remained a serious issue; by the 2000s, the nation had made great progress was dealing with an increase in drug addiction rates, particularly for heroin and crystal meth.

 

AFGHANISTAN

The largest producer of opiates in the world is Afghanistan with a total of 93% of the world’s market[2].

The history of drug abuse in Afghanistan is closely tied to the country’s role as a major producer of illicit drugs, particularly opium, and heroin. Afghanistan has been the world’s leading opium producer for many years, accounting for a significant percentage of global opium production.

The cultivation of opium plants (poppies)  in Afghanistan has deep historical roots, but the problem of drug abuse escalated during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. During the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s, opium production increased as it provided a source of income for various groups involved in the conflict.

Following the Soviet withdrawal, Afghanistan descended into civil war, and various factions involved in the conflict turned to the opium trade to fund their activities. The Taliban, in particular, gained control over large opium-producing regions and derived substantial revenue from the drug trade during their rule in the late 1990s.

After the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, opium production surged to unprecedented levels, partly due to the country's unstable political and security situation. The Afghan opium trade became a significant source of funding for the insurgency, corruption, and organized crime.

The widespread availability of cheap and potent heroin within Afghanistan contributed to drug abuse among its population. Drug addiction has severe health and social consequences, affecting individuals and communities across the country.

The International community and the Afghan government have made efforts to combat drug trafficking and reduce opium cultivation through various initiatives, including counter-narcotics programs, alternative livelihood projects for farmers, and interdiction efforts. However, the issue remains complex and multifaceted, requiring ongoing attention and comprehensive approaches to address the root causes of drug abuse in Afghanistan.

 

INDIA

The history of drug abuse in India has deep roots, with instances of substance use dating back centuries. India has a long history of traditional drug use, where certain substances have been used for medicinal, religious, and cultural purposes. However, in recent times, the country has faced challenges with the abuse of both traditional and modern drugs. India is also situated between two major drug-producing regions, the Golden Crescent (Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan) and the Golden Triangle (Thailand-Laos-Myanmar), which makes it vulnerable to illicit drug trafficking[3].

Traditional Drug Use: India has a rich history of using substances like cannabis, opium, and bhang for religious rituals, medicinal practices, and recreational purposes. These traditional substances were ingrained in various cultural practices and were often consumed in controlled settings.

British Colonial Influence: During the British colonial rule in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the opium trade was significant, leading to widespread use and abuse of the drug. The British introduced opium for commercial purposes, which had adverse effects on the health and well-being of many Indians.

Post-Independence Period: After India gained independence in 1947, efforts were made to control drug abuse. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) was enacted in 1985 to regulate and control the production, sale, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Rise of Illicit Drug Trafficking: Over the years, India has become a transit route for drug trafficking, especially from neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and Myanmar. This has led to an increase in the availability and abuse of illegal drugs such as heroin and synthetic opioids.

Prescription Drug Abuse: In recent times, there has been a rise in the abuse of prescription drugs, particularly opioids and sedatives. Misuse of prescription medications has become a concern, leading to health issues and addiction problems.

The government of India has taken several steps to combat drug abuse, including law enforcement efforts, awareness campaigns, and treatment programs. However, the issue remains a significant challenge, requiring ongoing attention and coordinated efforts from various stakeholders to address the complex reasons contributing to drug abuse in India.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), India accounted for 7% of the global opium seizures and 2% of the global heroin seizures in 2019.

According to World Drug Report 2022, “India has the 4^th largest quantity of opium seized in 2020 at 5.2 tons, and the 3^rd highest amount of morphine was also seized in the same year at 0.7 tons[4].”

The government tackles the drug problem through legislative, institutional, and preventive measures. Laws like the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, NDPS Act, and PITNDPS Act control drug-related activities, imposing strict penalties. Institutional bodies like NCB, DRI, and Customs enforce these laws and collaborate nationally and internationally. Preventive schemes like NAPDDR and NMBA raise awareness, offer treatment, and focus on de-addiction and rehabilitation. NIDAAN and NCORD Portals maintain records of suspects and convicts under the NDPS Act and track drug sources and destinations up to district levels. These comprehensive efforts aim to regulate drug use and combat the drug menace in the country.

                                

DRUGS AND HEALTH

Drug addiction can have several negative health effects on both physical and mental health. Health problems like lung or heart disease, stroke, cancer, and mental health disorders are frequently experienced by people who struggle with addiction. Blood tests, chest X-rays, and imaging scans can all be used to indicate the harmful effects of extended drug usage on the body.

Health concerns vary depending on the medicine. For instance, tobacco smoke is linked to various cancers, methamphetamine can cause severe dental problems (meth mouth), and opioids can lead to overdose and death. Inhalants can harm the brain's or the peripheral nervous system's nerve cells.

Additionally, there is a link between drug usage and HIV/AIDS. Infections like HIV & hepatitis C are more likely to spread when injection equipment is shared and risky sexual behavior is practiced Injections.

 

PROVISIONS REGARDING DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA

1.     Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985:

This is the primary legislation in India that controls and regulates activities connected to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is this one. Drug misuse, trafficking, and manufacture are all defined, along with a number of offences and punishments.

 

2.     Punishment for Offenses:

The punishment for various offences under the act ranges from rigorous imprisonment to the death penalty, depending on the severity of the offence. These offences include illegal production, manufacturing, possession, sale, purchase, transport, warehousing, use, consumption, import inter-State, export inter-State, import into India, export from India or transhipment, and warehousing of narcotic drugs along with psychotropic substances.

3.     Prevention of Illicit Traffic:

The act also focuses on the prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs as well as psychotropic substances. It includes provisions for forfeiture of all the property derived from drug trafficking.

4.     Treatment and Rehabilitation:

The act also provides for the establishment of centres for the identification, treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation of addicts. It aims to help individuals overcome drug addiction.

5.     Central Bureau of Narcotics:

The Central Bureau of Narcotics is responsible for coordinating drug law enforcement activities and ensuring compliance with the provisions of the act.

6.     Regulation of Precursor Chemicals:

The act also regulates precursor chemicals used in the production of narcotic drugs & psychotropic substances to prevent their diversion for illicit purposes.

CONCLUSION

Individuals need to understand the risks associated with drug abuse and make informed decisions regarding their substance use to maintain a healthy as well as a fulfilling life. Additionally, societies must work together to reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and provide support for those struggling with drug abuse to promote recovery and well-being.

 

REFERENCES

1.     BBC News. (2017, June 25). Iran’s drug problem: Addicts “more than double” in six years. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40397727

2.     Jazeera, A. (2021, August 16). Opium: Afghanistan’s drug trade that helped fuel the Taliban. Business and Economy News | Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/8/16/opium-afghanistans-illicit-drug-trade-that-helped-fuel-taliban

3.     Drug trafficking and threat to security. (n.d.). Drishti IAS. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/drug-trafficking-and-treat-to-security

 

 

---

[1] (BBC News, 2017)

[2] (Jazeera, 2021)

[3] (Drug Trafficking and Threat to Security, n.d.)

[4] (Drug Trafficking and Threat to Security, n.d.)