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BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
20
ISSN : 0975-251X
Prevalence of Drug Abuse among Street Children in Delhi
Manisha Pal
Assistant professor, Department of Social Work
Aditi Mahavidyalaya,University of Delhi.
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the prevalence of drug abuse among Street Children in Delhi. The
street children in Delhi are subject to physical, mental and psychological abuse and
also victims of trafficking. The study revealed that majority of the respondents (5-16
yrs) are migrants and use drug. The prevalence of drug abuse is lower among the girls
as compared to the boys. Most of the street children are engaged in informal
occupations nearby the railway stations. Rag picking, shoes polishing and wage based
work in petty shops are the common activities of the study children. Given the high
incidence of risky behavior like consumption of drugs, there is a pressing need to
address the problem with much priority. The paper has also highlighted the role of
social workers in preventing the serious problem of drugs abuse among street children
and proposed necessary interventions to rehabilitate them.
Keywords: Street children, Drug abuse, informal occupations, social work
intervention.
INTRODUCTION
“Street Children” is “any girl or boy who has not reached adulthood, for whom the
street (in the broadest sense of the word, including unoccupied dwellings, wasteland,
etc.) has become her or his habitual abode and/or sources of livelihood, and who is
inadequately protected, supervised or directed by responsible adults” (Inter-NGO,
1985). According to UN sources there are up to 150 million street children in the
world today. Chased from home by violence, drug and alcohol abuse, the death of a
parent, family breakdown, war, natural disaster or simply socio-economic collapse may
lead destitute children to eke out a living on the streets. Scavenging, begging, hawking
in the slums are the most common works performed by these street children. It was
estimated that more than 100 million children live and work on the streets in the
developing countries. India alone is home to the world’s largest population of street
children, estimated to be 18 million. There are 10 % of the world’s children live on the
streets in India and more than two third were boys. It was found that most of the street
children abuse nicotine and alcohol (Sharma and Joshi, 2013).
UNICEF has defined street children into three categories, Street-Living, Street-
Working, and Street-Family. Street Living Children: children who ran away from their
families and live alone on the streets. Street Working Children: children who spend
most of their time on the streets, fending for themselves, but returning home on a
BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
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ISSN : 0975-251X
regular basis. Children from Street Families: children who live on the streets with their
families.
There are tens of millions of children live in the streets of cities scattered all over the
world. The majority of street children live in developing countries and in the poor
nations of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, especially India and Brazil. There are
some estimates put the number of street children living in India’s six most populous
cities at 500,000, more than 100,000 may be found in Delhi alone.
The girls are less visible in the street and the girls who are living on the street the
situation is desperate. They have very limited sources for surviving on the street, they
do not have proper accommodation or regular, healthy food. They are at high risk of
HIV infections and also deprived of education and we can say that they are sufferers.
Among these many have babies also when they are too young and they are lack the
basic means to care for them. The girls are on the street are subject to harassment from
other people, from the public and other officials. Here we can say that the children who
are living on the streets for them its not only risky and rough, but can also be
humiliating and dehumanizing (Swart 1990 and Aptekar 1996 cited at Rumbidzai and
bourdillon, 2003). In addition, Street children are abusing wide range of substances,
from inhalant to solid cigarettes and some of the children are employed in preparation
of "charas" cigarettes in India. This situation brought the street children in various
health and social effects (Sharma and Joshi, 2013). Most of the studies reveals that
poverty and peer pressure are the major determinants for substance abuse. The drugs
abuse has wider ramifications on the overall growth and wellbeing of the street
children and particularly damaging the vital organs and respiratory, digestive, oral,
facial and the major social effects of substance abuse leads to HIV/AIDS, STI,
violence and crime etc.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
There has been number of studies exploring the drug abuse among street children, as
well as the problems of street children in India. According to UNICEF, 1994 estimated
that 11 million children lived in the streets of India, while other groups put the number
as high as 18 million, in this two in three are male. Here the Majority belongs to age
between 11 and 15 years old, where a large percentage belongs to the age group 6-10
years.
The term “street children” itself was widely adopted by international agencies in an
attempt to avoid negative connotations for children who had been known as street
urchins, vagrants, gamines, rag-pickers, glue sniffers, street Arabs, or vagrants
(Williams 1993 cited at Brick 2002).
According to a study on surviving the street (A census of street children in Delhi by the
Institute for Human Development and Save the Children 2011) , it was reported that
there are 50,923 children below 18 years of age were identified as street children in
BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
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Delhi during 12 July to 28 August 2010. Street children in Delhi constitute nearly 0.4
per cent of the total Population. In this study the census found that the majority of
street children were from Bihar (21.2 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (15.3 percent), Rajasthan
(6.8 percent), Jharkhand (4.1 percent), and Madhya Pradesh (3.9 percent). It is
important to note that a majority of them were children of migrants from these states
and they never visited their places of origin.
The Street children are different across the cities and regions. But there is majority of
street children are boys. There is one other most important fact isthat girl street
children are often not found in visible spaces and hence hard to trace (Childline India
Foundation).
The girls who live on street their situation is desperate. They have very limited sources
of sustenance, and no proper accommodation or regular, healthy food. They are
deprived of education and are at high risk of HIV infection. Many have babies when
they are too young and lack the basic means to care for them. Here the street girls are
subject to harassment from other street people, from the public, and from officials. For
them living on the streets is not only risky and rough, but can also be humiliating and
dehumanizing (Swart 1990, Aptekar 1996 cited at, Rumbidzai and bourdillon 2003).
The street children found working a variety of jobs on the streets like cleaning train
compartments, collecting plastic, paper, and anything else so that they may be able to
resell, they serve as paperboys, shoe shiners, dishwashers, or porters for hotels and
local businesses and also play music, juggle, or simply beg. Their kind of lifestyle
exposes them to the many grave risks that derive from their frequent involvement in
drug trafficking, organ trade, prostitution, pornography, and slavery (Ferrara and
Ferrara, 2005).
The Drug uses among the street children lead them to the many elements which
contributed to their High Risk Lifestyle. Most of the studies highlighted that street
children had self-reported Delinquent behavior which included stealing, fighting, rape
and self-directed aggression (Tripathi, NDDTC 2009).
The study on “Drug Abuse Among Street Children in Bangalore” conducted by
Benegal et.al, 1998 shows that the adolescence are exposed to many drugs, especially
those easily available or associated with work like industrial glues, petrol, cannabis,
tobacco and alcohol.The study also indicated that social and peer influence are critical
and drugs are easily available, drug use becomes one aspect of the child's
developmental process and even a part of life. In this context, much of the drug use is
not mindless nor necessarily pathological. There is various reasons to get relief from
boredom or hunger or depression and frustration, wanting to feel good, to keep awake
or get to sleep or to dream may be some of the functions served by drug use. It also
revealed that low income also forced them to use cheapest drugs. Amongst street
children, therefore inhalants, such as typewriter correction fluid (solution) petrol, glues
which are cheap and easily available are widely used.
BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
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The use of different kind of drugsby the street children like correction fluid, glue,
thinner, cough syrups, pain killers, paint, gasoline, psychotropic drugs lead tothem for
long term of health problems. There are other problems also like Sexual abuse and
commercial sexual exploitation with street children put them at high risk of STIs and
HIV/AIDS. (Agrawal, 1999 cited at, NISD and UNODC).
The World Health Organization (WHO) mentions that there is globally up to 90% of
the street children use some kind of drugs, with wide region wise variation. There are
more than 70 percent street children who are living nearby Delhi markets, railway
stations, religious places are inhalants drugs (CHETNA 2008cited at NISD and
UNODC).
In most of the studies it revealed that, the drug using street children were exclusively or
mostly boys. Mostly boys found on the streets as compare to girls, and girls are less
visible on the streets. This seems to be a global trend as in most of the cities of the
world, street children are predominantly male.
There are various problems which is faced by street children like poverty, deprivation,
malnutrition, lack of facilities for survival, violation of rights etc. but in this one major
problem is substance use. Many studies have highlighted the high prevalence of
substance among the street children (NDDTC, 2009)
The study on “A Trainer’s Manual on drug use prevention, treatment and care for street
children”, NISD and UNODC shows that the street children occupation is significantly
related to their drug use behavior for example, bottle pickers after attending a train can
have a rest while waiting for another train to arrive, which is the commonest time for a
smoke or a huff of inhalant. Rag pickers generally visit sites twice a day, once in the
morning and then in the evening and therefore they can avail longer hours of rest in
between, which they spend by taking drug, gambling, wandering around or indulging
in criminal activities like pick-pocketing. Children engaged in roadside food stalls had
fewer rest periods during the day and generally took drugs in the evening and often
with adults.
It was found that the Peer pressure is often reported as the most important influence for
initiation of drug use and criminal behavior among the street children in many studies.
On the street it is always that the new member is often offered for correction fluid by
the older members as a part of indoctrination into the group. (NISD and UNODC).
Most of street children used to take drugs as a way of street life or to remain in the peer
group. If specifically asked them about how they feel after taking the drug the most
common answer was that they feel relaxed and happy. There is Relief of boredom,
hunger, depression, fear and frustration, wanting to feel good, to keep awake or get to
sleep or to dream may be some of the functions served by drug use. (NDDTC, 2009).
BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
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ISSN : 0975-251X
After reviewing these evidences, it is well understood that there is a need for further
research on the aspect of Prevalence of Drug Abuses among Street Children in Delhi.
In this backdrop, the researcher took up a comparative study to understand the patterns
of drugs abuse among both the boys and girls street children in Delhi.
Objectives of the study
The specific objective for this study are,
1. To examine the level of drug abuse among the boys and girls street children.
2. To identify the nature of migration of the street children.
3. To identify the nature and patterns of drugs mostly used by the Street children.
4. To forward various interventions for social work interventions for mitigating the
problem of drugs abuse among the street children.
Variables
The variables used in this study can be divided into two categories i.e. predictor and
outcome variables.
Predictor variable
Street children: is a term used to refer to children(5-16 yrs.) both boys and girls who
live on the streets of a city spends at least a part of his/her days on the street and
engaged part time/full time for income and livelihood and maintains their lives without
basic facilities for survival.
Drug abuse: The Psychic and physical dependence on drugs partially or fully without
doctor's prescription resulting into physical or psychological harm.
METHODOLOGY
This study was conducted in Delhi and the respondents were selected from Hanuman
Mandir near to ISBT, New Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi Railway station in
Delhi. The study was observation method was used to understand the issues in a
comprehensive way. The study was based on descriptive research design. The
purposive sampling of Non-Probability type was used to select the respondents
(Sampling size=30) to analyze their risky behavior. Structured interview schedule with
both open and closed ended questions were implied to enlist the requisite information.
Besides, observation method was used to understand the issues in a comprehensive
way.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
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Table 1. Educational status of Street Children in Delhi, 2010
Education
Male
Female
Total
Illiterate
50
26.67
76.67
Less than 5th standard
10
3.33
13.33
More than 5th standard
10
--
10
Total
70
30
100
It is observed in the study that, more than one third (77 percent) are illiterate. In
particular, half of male as compared to nearly one fourth (27 Percent) of respondents
were illiterate. Meager of 10 percent of male respondents have studied above the 5th
standard in the study
Figure 1. Job profile of street children in Delhi, 2010
It is evident in the Figure 1. that majority(44 percent) of the street children works in
petty shops like (Tea, Dhaba, Flower shops etc.) whereas each of 4 percent of street
children are cobbler and beggar respectively. Besides, more than one fifth (22
percent)of street children are rag pickers and less than one than one fifth of street
children sells water bottle.
Nature and patterns of drugs abuse :
BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
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ISSN : 0975-251X
Table 2.Nature and patterns of drugs abuse among street children in Delhi, 2010
Particulars
Male
Female
Total
Yes
43.3
16.6
59.9
No
26.6
13.3
39.9
Kind of drugs intake
Injected Drugs
1
0
1
Multi drugs
7
2
9
Solution
5
3
8
Rupees spend on drugs intake
per day
Rs200
3
0
3
Rs150
5
1
6
Rs100
4
2
6
Rs50
1
2
3
Comparing street children across sexes, it is observed that males have higher percent
of taking drugs than females. Among street children it is found in this study that
percent of taking drugs is higher than not taking, more than 50 percent of street
children are taking drugs. In this study it is found that there are various kinds of drugs
which intake by street children however near about 50 percent street children taking
multi drugs where as others are depending on inhaling solution. Only 1 percent who is
taking injected drugs. Comparing male and female it is observed that male are
spending much on drugs intake as compare to female. It is observed that mostly spend
money on intakes of drugs between 100-150.
Table 2. Reasons behind taking drugs
% of Reasons for taking drugs
Pleasure and
relief
Energy & tension
reduced
83
17
% of Friends taking drugs
Yes
No
60
40
% of Reason for initiation for drugs intake
Peer group
Others
100
0
% of Individuals willing to leave drugs
intake
Yes
No
17
83
Years of drugs intake
0-1
1-2
2-3
3-4
5
5
5
3
It is found that more than 80 percent street children are taking drugs for pleasure and
relief they have mentioned that their life is very tough and also they are facing lots
problem so for them this is the one way to get relief.
BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
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Social and Psychological Support to Street Children:
Figure 2. Social and psychological support to street children in Delhi, 2010
It is evident in the Figure2 that, two third (66percent) of street children have friends
social and psychological support. Whereas a significant of 7 percent of street children
have not any social and psychological support. Further, it was observed that,
nearly(20percent) of street children have counselor’s social and psychological support.
CONCLUSION
This study found that drugs abuse among street children is a major serious problem in
Delhi. They face various problems like physical and mental health problems, problems
of livelihood, protection, drug abuse, sexual abuse, high risk of STIs and HIV/AIDS,
social and economic problems, and they survive without basic amenities. In a
developing society like India, this is not a welcoming aspect. It was found that mostly
street children mostly migrants, are illiterates and particularly the girls are less visible
to the researcher. They are mostly working for their survival and are mostly engaged in
informal settings like rag picking and doing work on general shops, tea stalls etc. They
mostly lived on streets and addicted to drugs which are cheap and easily available due
to peer pressure. They are also victims of HIV/AIDS, STI, violence and crime and also
found that their physical and mental health is severely deterioted. The study also
reported negative effect on their vital organs and respiratory, digestive, oral, facial and
heart diseases etc.
IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTIONS
BSSS Journal of Social Work, Volume-VI, Issue (I), Year-2014
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The problems of street children, especially the social, health and economic issues needs
special care and attention. This could be tackled through proper
channelization of resources and opportunities. The programs need special focus on
peer pressure for preventing substance abuse among street children. And for the
sustainability of the programs they need sustainable resources and their effective
planning. There are various interventions for social work interventions for mitigating
the problem of drugs abuse among the street children.
} Educating the street children about the perils of drug use
} Networking with the government for formulating policies
} Counseling services
} Sensitization programs about drug abuse
} Awareness and preventive education
} Proper implementation of legal framework
} Community awareness
} Child welfare centers and guidance clinics
} Specialized services (education and health care services) for street children.
} Understanding community level perception
} Assessing risky behavior among street children
} Making resources available through community participation
} Evaluation and continuous follow up
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