Drug Addiction and Its Impact on Indian Society and the Laws Related to Drug Usage

Addiction of drugs has become a global issue and the leading cause of death. India has seen a rise in drug addiction in recent years. Drug addiction is being initiated as a result of changing societal norms, rising economic stress, and weakened family support. In recent years, India is seeing a rise in suicides cases due to extravagant usage of drugs. Adolescent drug addiction is also a big problem, since more than half of people with drug use problems start using drugs before the age of 15. Even if the drug addiction has been there for a long time, it can be cured. However, the government must take certain measures to reduce drug use in the future, such as public awareness programmes, family counselling and by stringent sanction. In order to control addictions in drugs, and prohibit their possession, dispersion, sale, import and trade in India, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was passed. Psychotropic agents can affect the consciousness of an individual while drugs alleviate anxiety. Violations of this law may lead to the imprisonment or fines or both depending on the seriousness of the offence determined by its gravity. The penalty may be reduced if the drugs are used for personal use. In addition, since its introduction the legislation has been revised several times. The current paper highlights the causes of drug abuse, its impact on family, suicides due to drug usage, impact of drug usage on children, drug usage and its effect on mental health, connection between drug usage and crime and describes the treatment and prevention of drug abuse and addiction for proper management of the problem and the laws related to the Drug usage in India.