Human Rights: Youth And Drugs

There is a long history of varied drug use around the world in numerous cultures. However, there has been a tremendous increase in drug abuse and substance use disorder during the 20th century. This led to the emergence of an international drug control system to regulate the production, distribution and use of drugs. There are three United Nations conventions that together form the International Law Framework of the global drug control regime. The basic aim to establish such a system was to control the use and supply of illicit drugs. There are a large number of studies that substantiate the fact that in India, substances such as alcohol, cannabis and raw opium have been used traditionally. The use of such substances was culturally sanctioned as societies were self-regulating and there was no need of rules and regulations for drug control in traditional Indian society. However, gradually with the change in the nature of the problem as well as due to the international intervention, the drug control laws and policies came into existence. Article 47 of the Directive Principles of State Policy emphasizes that the State shall endeavour to bring about the prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs that is injurious to health. In order to fulfil its commitment towards the International conventions as well as the directives issued in the Indian Constitution, various laws and policies have been framed in India to deal with substance abuse and its consequences in India. Though these acts and policies have shown the concerns for treatment and rehabilitation of persons with substance use disorder, various human rights concerns have been witnessed in the implementation of these provisions. The present book identifies the magnitude of the problem of drug abuse with special emphasis on human rights challenges related to substance use disorder in South Asia. It further discusses various drug prevention, treatment and care provisions. As youth is the most vulnerable segment of the population and are most adversely affected by substance use disorder, the book discusses the role of youth and civil society organisations in controlling this menace. The overall purpose of this book is to discuss the various human rights concerns of the people affected by drug abuse. It also provides some evidence-based interventions and endeavours to enhance the knowledge, understanding, scope and potential for alternative measures to conviction for punishment, especially for those who are suffering from substance use disorder in contact with criminal justice system. This book is a must-read for the academicians, activists, policy makers and administrators working on the issue.…