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 and 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. 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
traditions 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 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 behaviour is practised 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 several 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 support 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
[4] (Drug Trafficking and Threat to Security, n.d.)
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