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
5TH YEAR, B.A.LL.B(HONS)
AMITY UNIVERSITY LUCKNOW
EDITED BY: MUSKAN PRASAD
4TH YEAR, B.A.LL.B(HONS)
AMITY LAW SCHOOL, NOIDA
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 4th largest quantity of opium seized in 2020 at 5.2 tons,
and the 3rd 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
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