The Hindu : National : 'Women start early'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 26, 2004

National

National

'Women start early'

By Our Staff Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 25. Drug abuse does exist among women in India. The focussed thematic study on women in `The Extent, Pattern and Trends of Drug Abuse in India: National Survey' released here today said the data relating to women drug users indicated that they used opiates, alcohol and minor tranquillisers and some injected drugs.

The study, in which 75 women in Mumbai, Delhi and Aizawl were interviewed, suggests that drugs were used for pleasure, to relieve stress and to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Some even reported that the use of drugs helped them work harder and earn more. Most women were introduced to drugs at an early age (below 20) by their friends. About 16 per cent, mostly in Delhi and Aizawl, reported that their husbands or sexual partners were instrumental in introducing them to drugs. In Delhi, some said that their physicians prescribed these substances and they continued to use them.

According to the study, about 40 per cent of women drug users in Delhi could support their habit with personal earnings, though some engaged in commercial sex work and drug peddling to support it. As far as the social support system was concerned, a majority of the women drug users in Aizawl and Delhi lived with their family. In contrast, many such women in Mumbai lived on the streets, railway stations, municipal gardens, rented shacks or with their sexual partners other than husbands.

In the course of a conversation with the drug users, it was found that these women suffered from several health, psychological and social problems. Many felt that they received inadequate social support from their families, as compared to their male counterparts. Women dependent on drugs also found it difficult to fulfil their traditional role, which created disharmony in the family.

The national survey also carried out a study in eight urban centres to examine the specific burden on women on account of drug use by a family member. The study found that the impact of drug abuse among men on women was generally economic, followed by stigmatisation, emotional upheaval, relationship difficulties and neglect of children, who were in turn forced into child labour or prone to delinquency. Domestic violence, increased trafficking and crime were recognised as possible outcomes of individual drug use. The family burden, especially on the women, of caring for drug users was also substantial. Besides the economic burden, women were seen to be making adjustments at the cost of their own welfare, growth and development. The lack of social support systems served to aggravate their economic, social and emotional burden.

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