Drugs and Crime

The problem of drug-abuse, also brings in its way, other complications like increase in crime rates which affects the society as a whole. The main connection of the use of drugs and drug dependence to crime is the illegal purchase and use of narcoticdrugs. since in India, the illegal manufacture, distribution, sale,
possession and use of narcotic drugs is prohibited by law. The second connection of drug use with crime is the illegal means of obtaining money to purchase illegal narcotic drugs. Indiscriminate use of these
drugs becomes dangerous and produces a gradual, mental, physical and moral deterioration of the individual and the use usually resorts to theft, more rarely to burglary, robbery or forgery. Women drugusers
practice prostitution as a means of obtaining money for narcotic drugs. The third connection of drug use with crimes is the violent and illegal acts committed while under the influence of the drug. At the heights of the effects of the drug on the mind, the user may commit a crime of violence or personal injury from disregard of reality and the normal considerations of safety.Studies have shown a close link between drug addiction and crime.More distributing is the phenomenon of trans-national links that drugtrafficker shave come to establish with hardened criminals and mafias all over the world, leading to a trail of violent crime, and murder of high intrigue.

Drug Dependence

The term ‘drug dependence’ as defined by W.H.O. (1969) is the psychic correlation and sometimes physical condition too,resulting from the interaction between a lining organism and the drug, characterized by behaviroal and other reponses, which include compulsion to take drugs on a continuous or periodic
basis, in order to experience its psychic effects and sometimes to avoid discomforts. During abuse is defined as the persistent or sporadic use, inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical practices.
The ‘dependence’, as mentioned, can either be physical or psychological. Physical dependence is a state whereby the body requires continued administration of the drug in order to function normally. Body functioning is interfered with, if the drug is withdrawn and withdrawal symptoms appear in a pattern specific
to the drugs. The total reaction to deprivation is known clinically as an ‘abstinence syndrome’. Psychological dependence occurs when an individual comes to rely on a drug for the feeling of wellbeing it produces.

Types of Drugs

Drugs can be classified into four main types :

1. Sedative-hypnotics
2. Hallucinogens
3. Stimulants and
4. Opitate narcotics

1. Sedative-hypnotics :

The sedative – hypnotic include the drugs, which are commonly referred to as depressants. They relax the central nervous system,induce sleep and provide a calming effect. Barbiturates, alcohol,phencyclidine (PGP) and tranquilizers fall into this category.Barbiturates are usually taken orally as a tablet or capsule,
although they can be taken intravenously too. In small quantities,they make the user relaxed, good-humoured and sociable, but in higher doses the user usually becomes sluggish, gloomy and sometimes, irritable and quarrelsome; his ability to think, concentrate and work is impaired and his emotional control is weakened. They are physically addicting and the physical dependence is more dangerous than dependence on narcotics. When barbiturates are withdrawn abruptly, the abuser suffers from cramps, nausea, delirium,
convulsions and coma.PGP is sold under a wide variety of names, including dust,angel dust, crazy, eddie and tick. People use PGP either orally or it is snorted or it is smoked with other substances. Depending on
the dosage, PGP can produce a variety of effects, including excitation and stupor. Chronic use does result in long-term memory loss, as well as impairment to physical co-ordination.
Alcohol is the most commonly used sedative-hypnotic and in fact the most commonly used drug. It is both physiologically and psychologically addictive and impairs judgement and creates confusion. Alcohol relieves tensions and lessens sexual and aggressive inhibitions. It also leads to perceptual changes, visual and other sensory experiences, rapid flow of thoughts and mood changes.
Tranquilizers are usually taken in the form of pills to counteract tension and the chronic use results in physical and or psychological dependence. The symptoms of abrupt withdrawal resemble that of
barbiturates.
They stimulate the central nervous system. The most widely used stimulants are amphetamines, popularly called ‘pep-pills’, Goffea, tea, caffeine are considered as mild stimulants. The stimulant drugs are usually taken orally, though some (like methedrine) are taken by intravenous system. In addition to amphetamines, stimulants include cocaine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine.They can increase alertness and are often used to combat fatigue,reduce depression and control appetite.The stimulant drugs do not produce physical dependence, but they are psychologically addicting, that is, a practice can become a
habit for mental or emotional reasons. Long-term heavy users of the amphetamines are usually irritable and unstable and they show varying degrees of intellectual, emotional, social and economic deterioration. Abruptly withdrawing the drug can result in mental illness and a deep suicidal depression.

2. Hallucinogens :

Producing distortions of perception, (seeing or hearing things in a different way than they actually are) dream images and hallucinations are characteristics of the groups of drugs called hallucinogens or mind-affecting drugs. They include such drugs as marijuana, hashish, peyote and mescaline as well as LSD. The
well-known drug in this group, is LSD which may be obtained as a small white pill, as a crystalline power in capsules, or as a liquid in ampules. Usually LSD is taken orally but it may also be injected.The effect of an average does of LSD usually lasts form 8 to 10hours. It is not physically addicting. Panic reactions, depressive reactions and permanent severe mental derangement can result
from an attempt to withdraw from its use.

3. Opiate-Narcotics :

Narcotics, like sedatives, produce a depressant effect on the central system. They produce feelings of pleasure, strength and superiority, reduce hunger, thirst and sex-drive, lessen inhibitions and increase suggestibility. Included in the category are opium,marijuana, heroin, morphine, pethidine, cocaine and cannabis,charas, ganja and bhang.Heroin is a white powder made from morphine; cocaine is
made from the leaves of the cocoa bush and is an odourless, white crystalline powder with a bitter taste; cannabis is obtained from the hemp plant; and marijuana is a particular form of cannabis.Heroin, morphine, pethidine and cocaine are used either by inhaling (the powder) or injecting (the liquefied form). Opium and
marijuana may be smoked, sniffed or ingested.
When the narcotic is withheld or when use has ceased, there are withdrawal symptoms and physical trauma such as sweating,shaking, nausea and even abdominal pains and leg cramps.Psychological dependence also results, and as a consequence,increased dosage is usually needed to ‘feed the habit’. Since the
addict is malnourished, he is susceptible to diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia. Negative side effects, such as hepatitis (from unsterile needles) and blood infections are common.There is a wide divergence of causes which could be grouped under four head: (1) Physiological causes–like staying awake,
heightening sexual experiences, removing pain, getting sleep, etc.(2) Psychological or personality causes – like relieving tension,causing depression, removing inhibitations, satisfying curiosity, getting kicks, feeling high and confident, intensifying perception, removing boredom, etc., (3) Social causes – like facilitating social experiences,being accepted by friends, challenging social values etc., and (4)Miscellaneous cause – like improving studies, sharpening religious insight, deepening self-understanding, solving personal, problems,
etc..

Effects of Drug–Dependence

The social impact of drug dependence is directly related to the extent with which the user has become preoccupied with the drug. Here the most important element to consider is the extent to which drug use has become interwoven in the fabric of the user’s life. The more frequently the drug satisfies the person’s need, the greater is the likelihood of his or her preoccupation with its use, with a consequent neglect of individual social responsibilities.Addiction cocoons the addict in his or her own fantasy world and there is no point of contact with reality. Thus the drug-addicts are lonely people because they do not want to face the reality of situation.
Health, economic relationship, and family obligations may all suffer as the drug the drug-seeking behaviour increases in frequency and intensity and dominates the individual’s life. The extreme of drug
dependence may lead to behaviour that has serious implications for the public’s safety, health and welfare.
Concerning the mental effect that drugs create – they wreak havoc on the human mind, making it weak and fickle. It becomes a prey to myths, fantasies and fallacies, which remain until drug taking is given-up altogether. The addict beings to suffer from an increasing number of complexes and apprehensions, which make normal dealings with people at home and at work very difficult.Not only do drugs affect the mind
and destroy social relations,they cause untold damage to the human body itself. The eyes must squint in ordinary sunlight; the ears become oversensitive and findan ordinary sound to irritating and loud.

Further the nose picks up odours very fast and the problems of ecology, especially pollution become acutely apparent to the addict. His strength wanes and his stamina becomes extremely poor. Moreover, he loses motivation to do anything worthwhile in life and would like to laze his time away,and remain forever dependent on others. Heavy usage not only damages kidneys, lungs and heart, but creates an overall reduction in the defence mechanisms of the body making it prone to a great many diseases. Worst of all, research indicates that genetic disturbances may occur in some cases of male addiction and almost
all cases of expectant mothers who happen to be drug-addicts.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

A well-rounded programme for the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts constitutes an essential element of the overall approach towards the prevention and control of drug-abuse in any society.
There are many steps in the process of treatment as described below :

Motivation to Withdraw the Drug:-
As a first step, the addict or the abuser should strongly decide to stop the drug completely. For the initiates and intermittent drug users this motivation is enough to kept them away from drugs. But for chronic and relapsed addicts, hospitalization and psychological therapies are necessary.

Hospitalisation and Psychotherapy:-
The chornic and relapsed addicts hospitalisation, as they are in need of a controlled environment for detoxification. It refers to the process by which the individuals are withdrawn from their physical and psychological dependence on a drug. During detoxification the user receives increasingly small dosages of the
drug. Depending on the type of drug and level of addiction, detoxification can be completed in 4 to 10 days.
Withdrawal symptoms are covered with ‘drying-out’ sedation and tranquilization. Attention is paid to the patient’s general health and nutritional state, both of which are often poor. The withdrawal process requires psychological and psychiatric assistance and scientifically individualized treatments according to the personality traits and rehabilitation requirements of the addict.
Having dealt with any immediate complications, the next stages consists of examining the patients current life situations in detail with a view to trying to deal with such personal and other difficulties that seem to have contributed to their addiction. As the problems of the addict have to be treated in heir totality, the treatment process implies counseling of his family to cure the root causes of addiction
and to deal with interpersonal attitudes and behavior.Sometimes aversion therapies are given to induce a distance or disgust for drugs. For example, an alcoholic will be given a drink mixed with antabuse (an emetic) whose interaction with alcohol produces vomiting, nausea, pain and headache. Other behavioral
techniques applied to drug mis-users include electrical aversion.Whenever the patient has thoughts about heroin or prepares for a fix, he is given an electrical shock. This method is followed in some of the foreign countries. Another psycho therapeutic measure includes moral encouragement, persuasion and hypnosis which may be described as a surface form of treatment. A patient, given a post-hypnotic suggestion to the effect taking drugs. Unfortunately such cures are usually temporary and the basic personality disturbances that are responsible for addiction remain untouched.To achieve end, the patient must be guided to an objective understanding of his problems and encouraged to undertake necessary corrective steps so that there will no longer be any need for drug indulgence. This is usually a long arduous task which involves
the complete co-operation of the patient and of his family as well.For favourable results, the patient must has complete confidence in the therapist and must be willing to shoulder his responsibilities.
After a week or two, when the counsellor or therapist feels that the addict has stabilized, he is sent out with a prescription of sedatives and tranquilizers, to keep him away from indiscriminate drug-use. The addict who is being treated is asked to attend weekly counseling sessions and advice is given.

Regular Exercises :

The addict under cure is advised to do regular exercises, walking and jogging in the fresh early morning breeze. This practice helps him to pick up stamina, reduces anxiety and tensions and creates confidence in him. Physical exercises make the body sweat out the toxins that the kidney has not processed and removed.

Balanced Diet :
Sufficient and balanced diet to recover the health is necessary,since addicts are not used to giving much consideration to their diet.They would have lost their stamina and immunity to diseases in the
process of addiction and it is essential to take nutritious and regular diet.This apart, all instruments used for drug taking must be thrown away and all associations who were and are still drug addicts must
be given up or otherwise in a weak moment the same cycle might begin again. It is absolutely necessary to keep oneself busy to avoid thinking of drugs. Reading magazines or newspapers, attending cultural programmes, viewing T.V. or seeking some job are all activities which prepare an ex-addict for normal life. And lastly, the encouragement, love and affection showered by the family members to overcome his weakness is most essential than anything else,right from the first step till his complete cure and recovery.
To make rehabilitation more effective it is necessary that the ex-addict meditates and prays the super soul to relieve the burden in the mind. Joining an ashram, reading philosophical books, serving to prevent others from falling into the drug trap, visualizing the drug as a whole (addicts see the drug high that is all) and realizing that the drug trip is only a passing thrill, followed by a great deal of depression, and agony will go a long way in rehabilitation.There are three major problems in the field of treatment and rehabilitation. Firstly, a large number of addicts claim that they are not ill and do not need treatment. Secondly, many of those who start treatment discharge themselves halfway through, and thridly, the success rate of current treatment method is low.
In India, at present, the facilities for treatment of drug addicts are not adequate. In most of the hospitals, no separate de-addiction clinics have been established. However, the treatment and consultancy facilities for addicts are available in the psychiatry departments of various general hospitals. The Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act 1985, has now made it mandatory for the state to establish centres for identification, treatment,education, after-care, rehabilitation and social reintegration of addicts.

PREVENTION STEPS :-

Our country, has adopted a prohibitionist policy, and has enacted laws to combat the problem. Voluntary organizations have come forward to help the addicts shed the habit. Preventive education
programmes through various media are given prominence. Besides, a number of international treaties have been signed to curb trade and traffic in narcotics and other habit from measures have been able to make any appreciable dent in the problem.

Skills enhancement programs to prevent drug abuse have shown promise in tests with majority-culture
adolescents. To date few applications of this preventive strategy have been evaluated.At 6-month follow-up, compared with test-only control condition subjects, intervention condition subjects had better knowledge of drug effects,better interpersonal skills for managing pressures to use drugs, and lower rates of alcohol, marijuana, and inhalant use. Intervention condition subjects were also less likely to label or consider themselves users of these substances. The findings suggest that behavioral skills training approaches hold promise for reducing substance use and abuse among American Indians.

Youth-completed measures of substance use, ethnic self-identity,involvement in traditional Indian activities,
family conflict, family history of alcoholism, peer and sibling deviance, self-esteem, delinquency, aggression, anxiety, depression, sensation seeking, conduct disorder and alcohol dependence.Inhalant users had significantly lower perceived self-worth and average annual household incomes and significantly greater density of familial alcoholism and expression of aggressive and delinquent conduct than non-users. Aggressive behavior was the most important predictor of inhalant use. Lifetime conduct and alcohol dependence disorders were 3 times more prevalent among inhalant users.Inhalant users had moreextensive deviant peer networks, were more sensation-seeking, and evidenced lower perceived self-worth. Inhalant use was less prevalent in this particular sample of urban Indian adolescents than in most studies of
Indian youth.As with other studies of inhalant abuse, aggressive and delinquent males of low-perceived
self-worth with family histories of alcohol dependence, were at highest risk for inhalant use.

The current annual and lifetime prevalence of inhalant use among youth on probation was assessed. Inhalant users reported significantly less family support and cohesiveness and lower self-esteem.Significantly more lifetime thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts, neighborhood gang activity, peer and parental substance abuse, intentions to engage in illegal behavior, substance-related criminality, and substance abuse than did nonusers. Ethnicity, self-esteem, suicidality, number of substance-using peers, and extent of substance-related criminality significantly discriminated inhalant users from nonusers.

Analysis indicated that age, perceived school ability, age at initiation of alcohol use, self-esteem, and substance related criminality significantly predicted age at onset of inhalant use. Age at initiation of inhalant use, gang membership, truancy, and substance-related criminality significantly predicted lifetime frequency of inhalant use.Study findings indicate that inhalant-using delinquents evidence significantly greater antisocial attitudes, personal and familial dysfunction, and substance abuse, than do their non-inhalant using counterparts.

The role of voluntary organizations like T. T. Ranganathan Clinical Research Foundation, Madras is appreciable and it is doing a commendable job, in the field of treatment and rehabilitation. In recent years, a new movement called Alcoholics.Anonymous has attained considerable popularity and success. This movement has a strong spiritual foundation and most units which treat alcoholics maintain close contact with the organization. The only requirement for membership is a genuine desire to stop drinking. Members meet regularly to share experiences and confess publicly that they were alcoholics.
Members are encouraged to depend on each other rather than on alcohol. Its members are former alcoholics who understand the problems of the inebriate. Because of their own alcoholic past, they can approach the drinker on an equal footing and win his confidence. Two Alcoholics Anonymous offer fellowship,sympathetic aid, and a message of hope based on belief in a superior power. Thus Alcoholics Anonymous serves as a form
of group therapy and provides the most readily available and satisfying source of companionship and regard for others.

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