Drug and Alcohol Dependence : the past Decade and Future, View from a Development Country

What constitutes "drug-abuse" remains an ongoing controversy because social, cultural, administrative, legal, political, metaphysical and philosophical issues have been unresolved. The use of drugs such as opium, cannabis, coca, alcohol, or tobacco is an integral part of the daily life of certain communities. For instance 'Kat' may be used by the shephered to help maintain his vigilance while at work and opium, or coca help the rural peasant to tolerate the privations of hard environment (Bull. W.H.O., 1981). In some festivals e.g. in India (like Holi in certain areas) young adults are socially expected to consume cannabis products. In certain parts of India opium is given to young children so that they sleep and mothers can go to work, as also a ceremonial drink (Report of Ministry of Health and Family, (1977). Opium is used by rural labour in Punjab, especially in the harvesting season, which involves a good deal of physical hard work (Mohan et al, 1977). Important questions have been raised in the West referring to individuals rights, to use whatever drugs as long as this does not infringe upon the prerogatives of other (Szaz et al, 1974). These are even more pertinent in East where drug use is culture bound. It has been suggested sociologically that much of the Western and North American concern about drug use had emanated from anxiety about and fear of the lower classes, which were then transferred on to the drugs they used. Thus, the fear of opium was associated with anxiety about the "Yellow Peril", i.e. the Chinese who emigrated to the United States in 19th Century. The fear of marijuana and heroin related to fear of blacks and lower classes. Traditionally such concerns about certain drugs have represented, therefore, a Xenophobia, or a fear of what was new and seemingly threatening (Musto, 1973). The phenomenon of drug use, hence has to be perceived differently in different societies. Three substances as issues of concern, seem to have survived from ancient times to this day, viz. cannabis, alcohol and opiates. They still form the hardcore of the problem all over the world. Conceptually however we have been still thinking in terms of 'good' and 'bad' drugs (e.g. alcohol, opium) without taking into account the traditional beliefs and cultural norms of usage. Hence terms like "drug abuse" and "drug use" still reflect a value judgement in terms of drugs and communities that are under consideration. In one sense in relation to opium and cannabis they reflect the dichotomy between consuming and growing countries.