Socio-Economic Impact of Drug Abuse [Notes]

Notes 24 Pages

University Grants Commission

Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course

Contributed by

Suraj Shetty

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3.2. Socio-Economic Impact of Drug Abuse

3.2 Objective
3.2.1 Introduction
3.2.2 Definition and important concepts
3.2.2.1 What is Socio-economic impact of drug?
3.2.2.2 What is Tobacco Addiction?
3.2.2.3 What is alcoholism?
3.2.3 Social Impact of drug
3.2.3.1 Impact of drug on family and community
3.2.3.2 Impact of drug on health
3.2.3.3 Impact of drug on Education
3.2.3.4 Impact of drug on crime
3.2.3.5 Impact of drug on work
3.2.3.6 Impact of drug on environment
3.2.4 Economic Impact of Drug
3.2.4.1. Impact of drug on Public safety
3.2.4.2 Impact of drug on Governance
3.2.5 Impact of drug and tobacco addiction and alcoholism
3.2.5.1 Loss of physical and mental strength
3.2.5.2 Loss of character
3.2.5.3 Loss of family ties and relationship
3.2.5.4 Loss of earning and livelihood potential
3.2.5.5 Loss of societal respect and dignity
3.2.6. Let us Sum Up
3.2.7. Key words
3.2.8. Check Your Learning
3.2.9 Suggested Reading

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3.2 Objectives

Drug abuse is one of the major socio-economic problems affecting the physical and mental
life of individuals and society. Substance Abuse or Drug Abuse means an over indulgence in a
drug or other chemical substances. Addiction and use of drugs is increasing in the society day by
day. This leads to a disease prone society and affects all aspects of human life. So, one has to
understand how drugs are affecting the social harmony of the nation, society, individual and the
world at large. This chapter will make you
 Understand about the socio-economic impact of drug abuse
 Appreciate how drug addiction affects the social and individual life
 Enable you to identify the economic loss due to drug abuse
3.2.1 Introduction
Drug abuse is a major social issue. Today there is no part of the world which is free from
drug abuse. India is also caught in this vicious problem of drug abuse. Drug addiction causes a
huge cost on human resources as well as it promotes illegal production and distribution of drugs.
Drug abuse has a direct impact on social and economic aspect of the nation. The impact of drug is
realized in workplace, family and the society. It results in violence at home and gang wars in
cities, increase crimes and even stresses the public health system and we find young mass
addicted to drugs. It leads to unsafe life. Drug addiction not only breaks the family harmony but
also puts high economic burden on the society. The economic impact due to Drug abuse is
immeasurable. The use, production and marketing of drugs, emergence of a class of drug
consumers is a huge challenge for mankind. It ultimately leads to unemployment, weak human
resources, weak brain power, unhealthy society and increasing crime at large. The socio-
economic impact is associated with the expenditure incurred. We need to design a policy to
prevent drug abuse. We must develop a prevention strategy and we need to educate the youth and
protect the human resources. The impact is felt in various domains of life such as: family,
industries, workplace and economy of the country.
According to UNDCP report, the economic effects of drug abuse can be measured in two
forms, i.e. cost of government drug enforcement polices and the lost human productivity such as
lost wages and decreased production that results from illness and premature deaths related to drug
abuse. There are many hidden costs relating to disturbance in social life, wastage of young energy
and increased crimes.

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Here are five facts about drug abuse in India:
1) When the Punjab state government commissioned a drug abuse study in 2015, it found that 230,000 people
in the state were drug users. That translated to 836 drug users per 100,000 people in the state. The All India
number is 250 per 100,000 (for 2012), according to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Even
the figure of 250 drug abusers per 100,000 is very high when compared to other countries.
2) In India, cannabis, heroin and opium are the most commonly used drugs. But there is an increasing
prevalence of methamphetamine too. The number of users who inject drugs has also gone up substantially.
There are one million heroin users registered in India according to a UN report. But unofficial estimates
suggest 5 million is a truer figure.
3) According to the National Survey on Extent and Pattern of Substance Use in India in 2019, about 2.1% of
the country’s population (2.26 crore individuals) uses opioids which include opium (or its variants like poppy
husk known as doda/phukki), heroin, and pharmaceutical opioids.
4) The national survey of 2019 also showed that about 2.8% of Indians aged 10-75 years (3.1 crore
individuals) were using cannabis as bhang, ganja and charas.
5) But what is alarming is the number of suicides due to drug abuse and alcohol addiction has more than
doubled in the last decade in India. In the year 2010, 3,343 cases of suicides were reported, and the number
increased to 7,860 suicides in 2019.

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Major findings of Survey by AIIMS at National and State level:
A. Alcohol :
i. At the national level, about 14.6% of people (among 10-75 year old) are current users of alcohol, i.e.
about 16 Crore people. Prevalence is 17 times higher among men than women.
ii. Among people consuming alcohol in India, Country liquor (‘desi’) (about 30%) and spirits (IMFL –
Indian Made Foreign Liquor) (about 30%) are the predominantly consumed beverages.
iii. About 5.2% of Indians (more than 5.7 crore people) are estimated to be affected by harmful or
dependent alcohol use. In other words, every third alcohol user in India needs help for alcohol
related problems.
iv. States with the high prevalence of alcohol use are Chhattisgarh, Tripura, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh
and Goa.
v. States with high prevalence (more than 10%) of alcohol use disorders are: Tripura, Andhra Pradesh,
Punjab, Chhattisgarh, and Arunachal Pradesh.
(b) Cannabis :
i. About 2.8% of Indians (3.1 Crore individuals) report having used any cannabis product within past
12 months (Bhang – 2% or 2.2 crore people; Ganja/Charas – 1.2% or 1.3 Crore people).
ii. About 0.66% of Indian (or approximately 72 lakh individuals) need help for their cannabis use
problems.
iii. Though bhang use is more common than ganja/charas, prevalence of harmful/dependent use is
proportionately higher for ganja/charas users.
iv. States with the higher than national prevalence of cannabis use are Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Sikkim,
Chhattisgarh and Delhi.
v. In some states the prevalence of cannabis use disorders is considerably higher (more than thrice)
than the national average (e.g. Sikkim, Punjab).

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(c) Opioids :
i. At the national level, the most common opioid used is Heroin, (current use 1.14%)
followed by Pharmaceutical opioids (current use 0.96%) and then Opium (current use
0.52%).
ii. Prevalence of current use of opioids, overall is 2.06% and about 0.55% of Indians are
estimated to need help for their opioid use problems (harmful use and dependence). More
people are dependent upon Heroin than Opium and Pharmaceutical Opioids.
iii. Of the total estimated approximately 60 lakh people with opioid use disorders (harmful or
dependent pattern) in the country, more than half are contributed by just a few states: Uttar
Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
iv. In terms of percentage of population affected, the top states in the country are those in the
north east (Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur) along with Punjab,
Haryana and Delhi.
(d) Sedatives and Inhalants :
i. About 1.08% of 10-75 year old Indians (approximately 1.18 crore people) are current users
of sedatives (non-medical, non-prescription use).
ii. States with the highest prevalence of current Sedative use are Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur
and Mizoram. However, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat
are the top five states which house the largest populations of people using sedatives.
iii. Inhalants are the only category of substances for which the prevalence of current use
among children and adolescents is higher (1.17%) than adults (0.58%).
iv. At the national level, an estimated 4.6 lakh children and 18 lakh adults need help for their
inhalant use (harmful use / dependence).
v. In terms of absolute numbers, states with high population of children needing help for
inhalant use are: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana.
(e) Cocaine (0.10%) Amphetamine Type Stimulants (0.18%) and Hallucinogens (0.12%) are the
categories with lowest prevalence of current use in India.
(f) Nationally, it is estimated that there are about 8.5 Lakh People Who Inject Drugs (PWID). High
numbers of PWID are estimated in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur and Nagaland. Opioid group of drugs are predominantly injected by
PWID (heroin – 46% and pharmaceutical opioids – 46%). A substantial proportion of PWID report
risky injecting practices.
Access to treatment Services: In general, access to treatment services for people affected by substance
use disorders is grossly inadequate. Just about one in 38 people with alcohol dependence report
getting any treatment. Only about one in 180 people with alcohol dependence report getting inpatient
treatment / hospitalization for help with alcohol problems. Among people suffering from dependence
on illicit drugs, one among 20 people has ever received inpatient treatment/ hospitalization for help
with drug problems.

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Key Take home Facts
 No single factor can be identified as a contributor to substance use in society.
 Multipliable factors interplay with each other to bring substance use among individuals.
 Adolescents are more prone to substance use.
 Genetic factors, mental health issues, and environmental issues contribute significantly to
making one prey to substance use.
 Family discords, community acceptance, failures in life and academics, peer pressure, and
ganging are some of the prime reasons which propel individuals to resort to substance use.
 However, it needs to be kept in mind that substance use is a reflection of poor personality
and strong willpower can enable an individual to get out of its grip.
 Adolescents need to realise that “It is not substances that can make them their servants, but
it is individuals’ strong self-confidence and determination that can help them to fight against
substances.

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3.2.2 Definition and important concepts
3.2.2.1. What is Socio-economic impact of Drug?
In simple terms socio-economic impact of drug abuse means undesirable or negative
changes in the social fabric due to drug abuse; it also includes negative economic impact on
individual, society and Government. It has many aspects. Use of drug by common people
leads to many social consequences such as – Instability in family relationship, Domestic
Violence, Crime prone life, Reduction of sense of belongingness to the family and the
society. There is also lack of social harmony and happiness within the family. On the other
hand, family plays an important role in the life of an individual. Family members have a
strong bond with each other, they support each other, face crisis together and affect the
behavior and attitude of each other. Once any member becomes a drug addict the entire
family is negatively affected. The family can play a major role in preventing drug addiction
within the family. Further even if unfortunately a member becomes a drug addict, de-
addiction is impossible without the support of the family. Doctors alone cannot cure a drug
addict without the support of the family. Use of drugs by any family member particularly the
parents and the elders negatively affect the young ones. Weak family link also reduces its
influence for preventing drug abuse. It has been found that use of drugs by elders leads to use
by youngsters. Use of drugs by a family member creates a vicious circle of drug users and its
leads to a drug prone society.
Definition of Social impact
Social impact can be both positive and negative.
Social impact is defined as
 “Any significant or positive changes that solve or at least address social injustice
and challenges”
 Social impacts have been continuously bringing changes in many parts of our
lives
 Social impacts can be derived from many sources such as business, science and
technology, politics and climate changes etc. Say, use of mobile phone has
brought many social changes. A student can write 500 words on impact of mobile
phones on the society.
Drug abuse directly affects the society and destroys the family life. Thus, young men should
protect the family life by creating awareness and preventing drug addiction.
3.2.2.2 What is Tobacco Addiction?
The term Tobacco addiction means when a tobacco consumer has been using it for a
long period of time and cannot give up such use. Tobacco contains nicotine which is
poisonous. Nicotine creates dependence. Nicotine produces pleasing effects in the brain.
Though it is temporary in nature but an addicted person is tempted to consume it again for
that pleasing effect. This addiction cannot be easily given up. In fact, it creates dependence.
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Tobacco is the common name for tobacco product from several plants. They are
known as “Genus Nicotiana”. More than 70 species of tobacco are available in nature. The
chief commercial crop is N tabacum. It is generally used in dried form especially in cigarettes
and cigars. There are many Indian variants like bidi, sutta, nasa or snuff etc. It contains
highly addictive stimulant which makes the person to consume it time and again. Tobacco
use is highly risky for human body. It directly damages lungs, heart, liver and also leads to
cancer. Nicotine dependence effects our body. Which include:
 Lung cancer
 Variety of cancers
 Heart and circulatory problems
 Diabetics
 Eye problem
 Infertility and impotence
 Complications during pregnancy
 Cold, flu and other illness
 Infections
 Hearing loss
 Chronic respiratory problem
 Osteoporosis
 Dental problems
 Irregular periods of women
The tobacco smoker also negatively affects the health of other people. People living with the
smokers are periodically exposed to them and are known as passive smokers. In fact, even
though they are not smokers they are forced to inhale the toxic smoke and as such can suffer
from all the above health problems. Smokers create group of smokers. They in fact create
peer pressure on their friends and force them to smoke. Social smokers become addicts in
course of time. Tobacco consumption leads to pre-mature death. The society has the sacred
responsibility of promoting a tobacco free society.
In Odisha and many other parts in India people consume paan. It contains many harmful
substances like tobacco and beetle nut. This is also quite harmful. In addition people spit out
the liquid and negatively affect cleanliness. Other tobacco product includes gutka which is
very dangerous.
3.2.2.3. What is alcoholism?
The word “alcoholism” means addiction to the consumption of alcoholic drink. In other
words, it is alcohol dependence. An addicted alcoholic is forced to drink by habit. Alcohol
addiction has a direct impact over the society. Such a person starts stealing to pay for it. He
becomes a habitual liar. He hides alcohol. He loses his sense and has no control over his
behavior. He even has very little control over his motor action (say walking). He suffers from
frequent irritation. He suffers from increased heart rate, nausea and vomiting. Alcoholism or
alcohol addiction leads to many unhealthy behaviors and also health problems. There are
physical, mental and social problems faced by the alcohol addicts. The following problems
are faced by alcohol addicts.
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 The inability to control alcohol intake
 Obsession with alcohol
 Their behavior is unacceptable to the society
 They socialize with other alcohol addict
 Getting drunk in workplace and home
 Having frequent blackouts
 Drinking daily
 Negative drunken behaviors
 Inability to imagine their life without alcohol
 Using alcohol as the reward of life
These are the common behavioral problems of the alcohol addicts. Therefore, one should
seek professional help when trying to quit their drinking habit. Depression, anxiety, low self-
esteem and enjoyment lead to drinking. None of these is justified. In fact, drinks will not help
to reduce depression and low self-esteem. It does more harm than good. The enjoyment part
is also not true. In fact, the so called enjoyment is only a kick for a short time. This
outbalances the enjoyment. There are social smokers and drinkers. Who in course of time
become habitual drinkers and smokers?
3.2.3. Social Impact of drug
3.2.3.1 Impact of drug on family and community
Family is the basic unit of the society. The harmony of the family depends on the
family members. When one member of family becomes drug abuser then he disturbs the
entire family harmony. Every family member suffers due to a single drug abuser. It affects
the life style, behavior, personality formation of the children and also financial condition of
the family. The money spent on drugs can be put to better use. Amongst the poor the
spending on drugs deprives others from food. The nation also pay heavy price in terms of
workforce and from economic point of view relating to absenteeism, lack of performance and
accidents at work place are the common problems created by the drug abusers. The drug
abusers show criminal attitude in family. It ultimately breaks down the family bondage.
Parents of young drug abuser suffer a lot. Parents cannot face the child who is taking
drugs and behaves abnormally. When the younger ones observe the elders using drugs, they
wrongly assume that drug abuse is an accepted behavior. The family members ultimately
accept this with anger, fear, shame and embarrassment. Drug abuser in family generally
shows socially unacceptable behaviors, violence, aggression, irresponsibility and selfishness.
Many addicts also indulge in gambling. Drug addicts in the family affect children negatively.
They create fear amongst children. When the children grow up many of them take drugs. The
negative attention of the society also spoils child’s life. This vicious circle of parent children
becoming drug addicts must be broken. The drug addicts and their children suffer from loss
of identity, depression and low self- esteem. Only a healthy family creates a healthy society.

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Domestic Violence
 Men who commit domestic violence also have problems with substance misuse
 Research indicates that up to 75% of individuals who suffer from substance use
disorder are engaged in physical assault, mugging, using a weapon to attack their
wives at home, and committing other violent crimes when prevented to take
substances
 Alcohol caused approximately 90,000 domestic violence deaths worldwide
 Alcohol or drug use is involved in 40-60% of domestic abuse situations. More than
30 percent of men are drunk at the time they commit a domestic assault, and 90
percent abuse substances on the same day, with alcohol
 More than half of the individuals who abuse their elder parents (age 60 or older)
are dependent on alcohol or drugs
 Each year, about 300,000 victims of violent assaults report that their attackers were
under the influence of alcohol

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Socio-Economic Impact of Drug Abuse [Notes]

Socio-Economic Impact of Drug Abuse [Notes]

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