Madan (1969) state that drunkenness and the drug abuse are bad for the person, his family, and ultimately the entire community. "Once a drinker, always a drinker" is a well-known saying. In actuality, all heavy drinkers begin with moderate amounts and increase their intake over time until they develop addictions.

Winek (1974) the author pointed out that in drug menace, there are environmental influences and chance occurrences. In general terms the delinquent and the drug- taker both have difficulty with their environment in the sense that both are at odds with the social norms. The abnormal, especially the neurotic individuals have difficulties with their social environment. The size and scope of the drug problem, reasons for its sources, and other related issues is based on real experiences obtained during various activities involved with the national drug problem.

Sen (1999), in his empirical study, "Drug abuse and Youth: A Psychological Study'', analyzes the causes of drug abuse and their effects on the behavior of the individuals. He expresses his concern about the wide spread abuse of drugs as it poses a threat to the world. He expressed that drugs may also hasten the onset of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by depressing immune function. He also found that intravenous drug abusers are at high-risk group to HIV infection and are the second largest group infected with HIV.

Rao (2004) sees socialization as the process by which a person develops into a useful member of society. By becoming familiar with the norms and behaviours of social groups, an individual becomes socialized. The person gains his own personality as a result of this process. The process of "transmission of culture, the process by which men learn the principles and practices of social groupings," as defined by Peter Worsley, is known as socialization.

Ahuja (2003) provided examples of the effects and subsequent nature of abuseable substances. Alcohol, sedatives, stimulants, opioids, hallucinogens, and nicotine are six groups into which the abuseable medications can be sub-divided. Some people use alcohol as a classic, pleasurable, and social activity, while others use it as a boost to help them think. It also functions as a sedative that soothes nerves or a type of anaesthetic that lessens everyday pain. Alcohol reduces aggressive inhibition and releases tension. Additionally, it confuses the mind and hampers judgement. Depressants or sedatives quiet the central nervous system, induce sleep, and relax the body. These include tranquillizers and barbiturates.

Significance of study

Cannabis and opioids are the next widely used drugs in India after alcohol. A total of 3.1 crore people, or about 2.8 percent of the population, report using cannabis products in the 12 months prior. Bhang, a legal variety of cannabis, and other illicit cannabis products were further distinguished in terms of cannabis use (ganja and charas). About 2.2 crore people (or about 2 percent) were found to use bhang, and about 1.3 crore people (or about 1.2 percent) were found to use illegal cannabis products like ganja and charas. (Magnitude of substance use in India, 2019). Amongst all the 29 states and seven Union Territories within the country, Himachal Pradesh is within the third spot, with the highest number of incidents per lakh population accounting for 13.1, with a complete of 929 cases reported within the cognizable crimes under Special and native Laws (SLL) crimes in NDPS Act 1985.{Negi, 2017}.

Therefore all these aspects when researched would help the society in a better and organized way. So the need and importance of this research study can never be underestimated. This is a research study being undertaken in the state of Himachal Pradesh and also used the social work intervention in the state and this study also helped policymakers. The need for study is confirmed not only by the researcher's direct experience with respect to the topic but also by others including organizations including both government, NGO’s working for drug addiction.

Area of Study

The state of Himachal Pradesh has 12 districts. The researcher selected the  Hamirpur district as a study area. The population of Hamirpur is 4.5 Lakhs (2011 census). According to police records, there have been 7.2 percent higher NDPS cases overall in 2019 than there in 2018, when 12 percent more criminals were convicted. The Hon’ble Chief Minister stated that cannabis is still being produced in some areas of Himachal Pradesh and is a source of income for many in the area. Therefore, a workable solution to the problem must also envisage the provision of alternative income generation for the cultivators in those areas. (Insa Conference Report Kullu, 2016). The present research was carried out in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh.

The Purposive Sampling method was used in the undertaken study. Using the purposive sampling the respondents were selected from the urban and rural areas and included both males and females in the sample.  The researcher took 15-29 yrs  age group of youth as samples (NYP 2014) and the sample size was 100 respondents.

The collected data was analyzed with the help of Excel and other simple tools such as percentages etc. with the least margin of error possible.

Table No 1.1

Drug Addiction According to Respondents

Source: - Field Based Data

Drug addiction: - Drug addiction is classified as a long-lasting, chronic condition marked by obsessive drug seeking, continuing use despite negative effects, and permanent brain alterations. It is regarded as both a mental illness and a complex brain disease. The most severe type of substance use disorders is addiction, which is a medical condition brought on by chronic substance abuse.

The above table 1.1 indicated understanding of drug addiction according to the respondent’s perception. While 11 percent of the respondents said smoking cigarettes is a drug addiction, 4 percent of respondents considered consuming alcohol as drug addiction. As per 6 percent of respondents consumption of opium is called drug addiction. More than half (71%) of respondents said that all the above things (smoking cigarettes, alcohol, and opium) are drug addiction. But a very few (08%) think that there are other reasons for drug addiction.

It is evident from the study that the 71 respondents (71percent) out of 100 respondents agreed that all the above (smoking cigarettes, taking alcohol and in taking of opium) are the signs of drug addiction. The study proved that respondents are more aware about drug addiction abuse.

Table No 1.2

Respondents' Knowledge Of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction: - Drug addiction, also known as substance-use disorder, as an illness that affects the person's brain and behavior and causes them to lose control over whether or not they take drugs or medications, whether they are legal or not. Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are examples of substances that are regarded as drugs.

The above table 1.2 indicates the respondents' knowledge about drug addiction. About 22 percent of the respondents said that consuming a drug itself is drug addiction and 27 percent of the respondents said consuming a drug at frequent intervals is drug addiction. Nearly half (43 percent) of respondents said that consuming drugs to satisfy themselves is a drug addiction but very few that is only (8%) said that taking drugs as their close one takes as drug addiction.

As per this study, 43 percent of respondents said consuming drugs to satisfy themselves is drug addiction per their knowledge. Respondents has given the different view point regarding the drug addiction but most of them viewed the habit of consuming drugs to satisfy themselves as drug addiction as per their knowledge.

Table No 1.3

Perception of Consequences of Drug Addiction

Source: - Field Based Data

Consequences of Drug Addiction:- The heart, lungs, liver, and brain are just a few of the main organs that drugs can physically harm permanently. Additionally significantly rising the risks of a stroke and a potentially fatal illness. Addiction causes severe behavioural difficulties, such as impulsivity, anger, and paranoia. Alcohol and drug use among young people in India is more common and increases their chances of developing fatal illnesses. Youth living on reservations have the greatest rate, non-reservation Indian youth have a lower rate, and non- Indian youth have the lowest rate. (F Beauvais, 1992).

Table 1.3 indicates the consequence of drug addiction according to the respondent’s perception. The majority of respondents (62 percent) in the study said that “Physical and mental problem" was  a consequence of drug addiction, whereas only 20 percent of the respondents considered economic problems as a consequence of drug addiction. According to 8  percent   of the respondents, influencing others to consume drugs was the consequence of drug addiction and 10 percent of the respondents thought bad-name in the society (stress, depression) was the consequence of drug addiction. As per the study, 62 percent of respondents, health problems (physical and mental) was the consequence of drug addiction. Alvarado Parkway Institute, 2018 wrote that thev heart, liver, and brain of the individual are just a few of the main organs that drugs and alcohol can physically harm permanently. Additionally significantly rising are the risks of a stroke and potentially fatal illness.

Table No 1.4

Social Acceptance of Drug Use

Source: - Field Based Data

Social Acceptance:- The majority of people try to look and act like other people in order to fit in, which is the definition of social acceptance. Or, on occasion, it's the capacity to accept or tolerate diversity and differences in other individuals or groups of individuals. Table 1.4 showed the social acceptance of drug addiction according to the respondent. The majority of respondents (83 percent) agreed that society accepts drug addiction while 17 percent of respondents denied the same. Even while ancient values are still present, the social  requirements of many modern countries have experienced significant change in the previous few decades. Current drug debates are sometimes a reflection of cultural lag, with the ensuing clash of values being a reflection of the disconnect between conventional wisdom and the way the majority of people in society now perceive the world. Consequently, modern cultures that are undergoing rapid change frequently go through times of unrest regarding the dominant perspectives on drugs and drug usage. (William Glenn Steiner, 2020).

Table No 1.5

Reason Against Use of Drugs

Source:- Field Based Data

Table 1.5 showed that the majority of respondents i.said that Bad behavior, ill health, endangering family and societal things are responsible for society not accepting, getting addicted to drugs. 16 percent of the respondents said that bad behavior was the reason why society did not accept where as 14 percent of the respondents said that because of health illness they did not accept drug addiction in society. 13 percent of respondents cited endangering family and society norms as the reason for society not accepting drug addiction. As per the study, bad behaviors that lead to ill health conditions and endangering family and societal norms were found to be  important  factors  responsible for the denial of drug addiction.

Table No 1.6                                 

People Consuming Any Type of Drug

Source: - Field Based Data

Factors Responsible for Drugs:-  Many different factors contribute to drug addiction. Drug addiction is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, environment, family history, employment, and social factors. These are a few of the most frequent causes of addiction. One's propensity to experiment with drugs and alcohol might be influenced by how they relate to and interact with others (Mackenzie Whitesell, 2013).

Table 1.6 showed the data of people consuming drugs according to the respondent’s perception. The majority of respondents i.e. 51 percent from research area said that they have seen people consuming any sort of drugs whereas 49 percent of the respondents have not seen any people consuming any sort of drugs. According to the study, some of the justifications for drug use among young people include trying to fit in, escaping or r;elaxing, getting rid of boredom, and want to feel as adults.