Content uploaded by Molly Charles
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Molly Charles on Jan 27, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
Drug Culture in India, A street ethnographic study of heroin addiction in Bombay,
... The thesis has been divided into six major chapters. The first chapter deals with the research question and theoretical framework. It provides a review of literature (Blum 1969;Chopra et. al. 1990;Comitas 1975;Charles et. al. 1999;De Rios 1975;Fisher 1975;Garcia 1975;Herer 1991;Hasan 1975;Machado 1994;Meyerhoff 1975;Masihi et. al. 2001;and Shrivastava 1989) on the use of psychoactive substances within the cultural context and provides information on the influence of the drug setting on drug consumption, the purpose of use, forms of use the type of drugs consumed a ...
... Psychoactive substances have been used for religious and magico-religious rites by different communities across the globe (Guiley 1993). The changes that occurred in our association with mind altering substances for religious purposes can be far more related to the difficulty of this realm being understood in a scientific manner (Charles et. al. 1999). Cannabis was used among Scythian in Atian in mid-Asia, during funeral rites (Emoden 1972) and in another culture it was used to experience 'great vision' and thereby ascertain the smoker's role in ganja subculture (Rubin (b) 1975). ...
... Study on the use of hard drugs in the urban context has shown that it occurred either as an accidental event or as a conscious choice for an altered state of consciousness or high (Charles et. al. 1999). On the contrary among samnyasis community, the saivite ascetic is introduced to psychoactive substance by his/her Guru and it occurs after s/he has been initiated to the specific saivite sect. ...
The use of psychoactive substances for various purposes within a given socio-cultural context has been documented in different societies across the globe. The present approach to drug abuse management assumes that all forms of drug consumption are deviant or criminal behaviour and ignores the socio-cultural context of drug use.
It is this contradiction that formed the basis for this research study on cannabis and culture with specific emphasis on the impact of drug policy on drug use and trade. In order to explore various forms of use that exists within India, the study utilised the qualitative approach with data collected through field observation and interviews with informants.
For providing a theoretical base to the inquiry, the schema of Drug Effects put forward by De Rios (1975) was used and the same adapted to explore drug use within religious context of India. Data collected on religious and socio-cultural context of drug intake is contrasted with the data obtained on use of hard drugs within the context of the punitive approach to drug control. The study focussed on presenting another schema for Drug Effects within India context.
The first two chapters of thesis present a broad outline of the study and elaborate on the methodology of the study undertaken. The religious context of consumption has been explored with regard to specific sect of saivites samnyasis (ascetic followers of Lord Siva) and their interaction with others in society.
Consumption of psychoactive substances in the socio-cultural context explored different forms of use both for psychoactive and non-psychoactive purposes. With regard to consumption for psychoactive properties the role of drugs as a relaxant during a social get together, festivals were examined, in addition to its use merely as a relaxant in daily life. The medicinal use of psychoactive plant products within the traditional system of medicine is another issue focussed upon. The basic emphasis was also to explore how within the context of punitive approach these forms of consumption continue to survive and the hurdles faced in the process. Data on different forms of religious and socio-cultural context of use presents the existence of cultural use management.
Data collected on the use of hard drugs within the context of criminalisation address the impact of the drug abuse policy on the drug use situation and its implication for patterns of use and impact on the lives of drug users. It is the process of marginalisation of drug users that is starkly different from the social acceptance given within the religious and socio-cultural forms of consumption.
In addition, the impact of drug policy on drug trade was explored, for the stated goal of drug abuse control has been to eradicate drugs. The study explores how the process of making drugs into contraband has led to the introduction of new forms of hard drugs (like heroin or brown sugar) for marketing at the street level. It is profit and the possibility of being able to evade the law that plays a crucial role in the choice of drug for marketing.
The entire process of criminalisation has led to a spread of drug use and the entrenchment of drug trade within society though there is a variation between rural and urban areas. The outcome of policy intervention by and large has been that cultural use management get transformed into drug abuse management.
The debate on relevance of punitive, decriminalisation and legalisation in the management of drug use has not changed its tone or content, though decades have passed. This thesis was written almost two decades ago, but it continues to be relevant as situation has not changed and drug policy continues to be held within the stronghold of United Nations Drug Single Convention, except for the legal spot being given for medicinal cannabis use in certain countries or states.
The thesis focuses on Indian reality and indicates need for a rethink on drug policy, but this has not happened. Government of India is yet to have a serious debate on medicinal use of cannabis, it has certainly not focused on impact of technology on drug use and trade, the growing economic divide, the accepted reality that due to overload of cases a user or user cum petty dealer can serve his/ her drug sentence before the final hearing of their case, and irony of still continuing to assume capital punishment is the final answer for drug trade control. Against these background reality, the thesis seem to be relevant and so thought of sharing it.
... In 1995 it made its displeasure clear on research findings suggesting positive uses to coca leaves and threatened to suspend support to the World Health Organization (WHO) for initiating and daring to make public such findings (Meetal, Pien et al. 2006). The total disregard for nation states on the part of the United States has been seen earlier in its interactions with Nepal on the cultural use of cannabis (Charles et al. 1999). ...
... The United Nations, by its systematic expansion of control over psychoactive plants/products, as well as through different conventions, disturbed global health care management imposing restrictions on use of mind altering substances in traditional systems of care. This is seen in India where a large percentage of the population depends on traditional systems of care (Charles 2006, Charles et al. 1999) and even seen in veterinary care (Narc and ISRD 2001). Other countries in Asia also use psycho-active plants products for health care (Charles et al. 1999). ...
... This is seen in India where a large percentage of the population depends on traditional systems of care (Charles 2006, Charles et al. 1999) and even seen in veterinary care (Narc and ISRD 2001). Other countries in Asia also use psycho-active plants products for health care (Charles et al. 1999). ...
... In 1995 it made its displeasure clear on research findings suggesting positive uses to coca leaves and threatened to suspend support to the World Health Organization (WHO) for initiating and daring to make public such findings (Meetal, Pien et al. 2006). The total disregard for nation states on the part of the United States has been seen earlier in its interactions with Nepal on the cultural use of cannabis ( Charles et al. 1999). ...
... The United Nations, by its systematic expansion of control over psychoactive plants/products, as well as through different conventions, disturbed global health care management imposing restrictions on use of mind altering substances in traditional systems of care. This is seen in India where a large percentage of the population depends on traditional systems of care (Charles 2006, Charles et al. 1999) and even seen in veterinary care ( Narc and ISRD 2001). Other countries in Asia also use psycho-active plants products for health care ( Charles et al. 1999). ...
... This is seen in India where a large percentage of the population depends on traditional systems of care (Charles 2006, Charles et al. 1999) and even seen in veterinary care ( Narc and ISRD 2001). Other countries in Asia also use psycho-active plants products for health care ( Charles et al. 1999). ...
... [6] Moreover, when used in social gathering the amount of drug each individual would consume was limited and this would act as a means to strengthen the social bond. [17] Imprisonment and/ or fine for those prosecuted for possession of even small quantities for personal use under NDPS Act seems to be impractical in India citing prevalent cultural acceptability of opium and cannabis. [6,18] An individual's perception and concern about social norms will determine his eventual drug use. ...
... El consumo iba gradualmente disminuyendo vía la reducción de la cantidad de ingesta o diluyendo la solución. Esta práctica también fue adoptada por consumidores que se desplazaron del opio a la heroína en la ciudad de Mumbai (Charles et al., 1999). Dado que el proceso de desintoxicación ocurre dentro del entorno o de la comunidad o del hogar, otros miembros de la familia o de la comunidad pueden monitorear el proceso en todo momento, a diferencia de los centros de tratamiento que dependen de que el paciente visite el centro y de su confesión. ...
En atención a las propuestas y declaraciones recientes sobre la posible regulación de la amapola, en el presente reporte se discuten tres tipos de antecedentes relevantes para este debate: 1) la llamada ‘crisis’ de opioides en Estados Unidos; 2) el control internacional de la producción global y del comercio legal de opiáceos y opioides, así como la estimación mercantilista de la demanda mundial por parte de la Junta Internacional de Fiscalización de Estupefacientes (JIFE) de Naciones Unidas; y 3) una de las principales críticas a este régimen de control internacional a partir del uso terapéutico de las infusiones de amapola desde la perspectiva de la medicina tradicional en India (Charles, 2010) y de libertades políticas en Estados Unidos (Hogshire, 2009), lo cual encuentra un correlato en los resultados de la regulación del cannabis, con respecto al consumo de opioides, en algunos estados del propio Estados Unidos.
... The use of the cannabis plant for a variety of purposes has long existed in India (Charles et al, 1999;Charles, 2001), a fact also noted for many other countries of Asia (Fisher, 1975;Charles, 2004). ...
Drug and drug related problems are the one of the core area of research throughout, drug trafficking is not a simple incident. The menace has extended it shadow beyond geographical boundaries the drug trafficking scenario in India is largely attributed to various external and internal factors. Present study is an analytical study which is completely depends upon the secondary data available were analyzed and it is found that Stat Police Agency is the major stake holder in seizing and arresting the persons involved in drug trafficking, ganja is the most frequently encountered drug in India, the drug related problem will come to control only when there is a stringent law and punishment for it.
... The use of the cannabis plant for a variety of purposes has long existed in India (Charles et al, 1999;Charles, 2001), a fact also noted for many other countries of Asia (Fisher, 1975;Charles, 2004). ...
Drug and drug related problems are the one of the core area of research throughout, drug trafficking is not a simple incident. The menace has extended it shadow beyond geographical boundaries the drug trafficking scenario in India is largely attributed to various external and internal factors. Present study is an analytical study which is completely depends upon the secondary data available were analyzed and it is found that Stat Police Agency is the major stake holder in seizing and arresting the persons involved in drug trafficking, ganja is the most frequently encountered drug in India, the drug related problem will come to control only when there is a stringent law and punishment for it.
Background: The menace of substance abuse is not only socially unacceptable but also emerging as a major public health challenge in many States of India, including Rajasthan.
Aims: The aim of this study is to study the sociodemographic profile, pattern of use, availability of opioids, and process of seeking treatment services for opioid dependence.
Subjects and Methods: After ethical clearance, a cross-sectional observational study was carried out among those who fulfilled the screening criteria at a tertiary care hospital. A self-designed pro forma was used, which included a sociodemographic profile, drug use profile and pattern, behaviors and practices, service access, and the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Results were analyzed using SPSS version 22.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 41.25 (±12.4) years. The majority (98.3%) were males, married (91.7%), illiterate (33.3%), farmers (61.7%), 45.7% lived in Bikaner District, and 83.3% lived in rural areas. Crude opium was the most common drug used in the lifetime of 98% of users. The most common comorbid substance used was tobacco, used by 75% of them. In 85% of cases, opioid drugs were purchased with their own legal earnings. The major reasons for starting opioid drugs were peer pressure (38.3%), to relieve pain/stress (25%), and to increase physical stamina for work (33.3%). The majority (73.3%) of them had utilized services for deaddiction purposes earlier.
Conclusion: The rural population in Western Rajasthan was highly affected by opium dependence. Participants were mainly low-potency opioid users without significant impairment in socio-occupational functioning, and their use was mainly to relieve stress and pain and to increase work capacity.
India is a welfare-based nation; therefore, it has an embedded responsibility to protect the marginalized communities. However, drug dependency has always been a hidden phenomenon. Focusing on the Indian scenario, this research critically analyses the implementation of the demand reduction programme, i.e. the National Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse which emerged from Section 71 of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Although the NDPS Act is prohibitionist in its approach and has criminalized the use of drugs, it has inculcated Section 71 of NDPS Act that stated the government can establish sufficient de-addiction centres for treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents. In order to gain a broad understanding of the implementation the study covered a national perspective by including Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi and Mizoram representing Southern, Western, Northern and North East regions of the country respectively. The treatment and rehabilitation services were analyzed categorically and thematically by posing specific standards such as availability, accessibility, quality and Protection of Human Rights. It was learnt that at the regional and community level, no autonomous body was set up for implementation of treatment and rehabilitation, treatment was envisaged through correctional angle, huge gaps in extension of financial support to existing de-addiction centres, weak preventive measures, ineffective training of staff, restricted admission for high risk drug dependents, diverse cases of human rights violation, mismanagement of withdrawal symptoms and prevalence of minimal harm reduction measures. However, on the positive side, the best practices are also being recorded with ongoing study such as positive impact of meditation, yoga therapy, life coaching based on emotional intelligence among other indigenous practices. The focus of this article is to provide a knowledge framework to enhance the quality of policy formulation and disseminate recommendations of the study with the hope that policy makers and practitioners and other concerned stakeholders are better informed of the situation so as to make a positive change in the lives of the users and the society at large.
At a drug rehabilitation clinic in Indian-occupied Kashmir, patients were subjected to a range of biomedical and penitentiary techniques. These techniques included group therapy sessions in which substance users performed narratives of their recovery—a practice that made visible their gratitude to the police, which oversaw the clinic and which, as an arm of the Indian military, many view as an illegal occupying force. While patients publicly pledged to remain sober and technically complied with the clinic's demands, they privately demonstrated ongoing commitments to nasha (intoxication), which places substance use, romantic love, and the search for divine unity in Sufism on the same phenomenological register. Through nasha, patients defied biomedical injunctions to forget their pasts and recuperated intoxication as a worthwhile experience. [addiction, substance abuse treatment, military humanitarianism, recovery, reverie, Kashmir]
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.