Substance AbuseDrugsDrug AbuseDrug Policy of IndiaDrug issues in Goa

Drug

• Substance which may have medicinal, intoxicating, performance enhancing or other effects when taken

• Not considered a food• There is no definition as there are different

meanings in drug control law, governmental regulations, medicine and colloquial usage.

Drug

• In Pharmacology – substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention or diagnosis of disease/enhance physical or mental well being

• Recreational drugs – chemical substances that affect the central nervous system such as opioids or hallucinogens.

• Cause addiction and/or habituation.

Medication

• Taken to cure illnesses or medical conditions.• Preventive measure for future benefits but

does not treat any existing disease symptoms.• Regulated by the government.• Patented /Generic drugs.

Spiritual and Religious Use

• Occurring since the dawn of mankind• Called “Entheogens”• Others – Stimulants and sedatives.

Self Improvement Drugs

• Nootropics (Smart Drugs)• Improve human cognitive abilities• Memory, concentration, thought, mood,

learning, etc.• Treat diseases like “Parkinson’s” and

“Alzheimers”

Recreational Drugs

• Use of substances to have fun, for the experience, or to enhance an already positive experience.

• Prohibited by national laws• Many are widely culturally accepted.• Most have an age restriction

Administering Drugs

• Bolus• Inhaled• Injected• Orally• Topically• Intravenous

Substance Abuse

• Also known as drug abuse• Patterned use of drugs – harmful to

themselves and others.• Psychoactive drugs/performance enhancing

drugs• Non-medical / non-therapeutic effect.• Substitutes include – cocaine, hallucinogens,

opioids.

Medical Definition

• Substance Dependenceo Repetitive useo Withdrawal symptoms

Drug Misuse

• Overdose of prescription/illegally obtained medicines/drugs.

• Used for mood alteration, stimulation beyond normal levels.

• Co-ingestion with alcohol• Increase in tolerance levels demand a higher

dosage of drugs.

Drug Misuse

• The rate of prescription drug abuse is fast overtaking illegal drug abuse in the U.S.

• Excess of 7 million non prescription drug misuse.

• Avenues of obtaining drugs for misuse are varied.

Causes

• Causes are numerous.• Social factors• Family related issues• Friends• Musicians, Celebrities• Stress, Depression

Signs and Symptoms

• Health problems (varies with drug type)• Social problems• Morbidity• Injuries• Unprotected sex• Violence• Motor vehicle accidents• Suicides• homicides

Treatment

• Treatment for substance abuse is critical around the world

• Many lives are being lost• Medical interventions exist but are not able to

cope up with increasing number of addicts.• Psychological techniques are being widely

used.• Rehab

Treatment

• A large number of prescription drugs are available for the treatment of drug related cases.

• Medication does not completely eradicate addiction but slows down the effects of drug use.

Drug Policy in India

• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985) and the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985).

• Introduced in the Lok Sabha on 23rd August 1985.• Illegal for person to produce/ manufacture/

cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.

Drug Policy in India• NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau)• Responsible for fighting drug trafficking and

the abuse of illegal substances.• Controlled Substances include:• Crystal Methane• Cocaine• Morphine• Heroin

Drugs in India

• Marijuana and other recreational drugs are not difficult to find in India

• Highly illegal• Some states have legalised Bhang (Marijuana)

for religious regions.• Many foreign tourists are drugged and robbed

in India

Drugs in India

• Police target drug users at random• Excuses don’t work once caught with drugs• Intoxicated people are highly vulnerable to

robbery or accidents.• Regions or Himalayas, travellers have

disappeared or murdered.

Drugs in India

• A large number of children are getting involved in drugs (aged – 14 and above)

• Reason being accessibility and high disposable income.

• LSD, Cocaine and Marijuana are the most common drugs available in the Indian market.

• Prices and quality vary from place to place.

Punishment

• Small quantity (<1kg), with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may exceed to 6 months, or with a fine which may extend to Rs. 10,000 or with both.

• quantity lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years and with fine which may extend to Rs. 1 lakh

Punishment

• commercial quantity, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 10 years but which may extend to 20 years and shall also be liable to fine which shall not be less than 1 lakh but which may extend to 2 lakh.