drug abuse

1. Drug Information Center, Nepal
(DIC, Nepal)
Presented by:-
Pawan Mahrajan
Priya Chaudhary
DIC, Nepal

2. Public Health Concern Trust, Nepal (phect-NEPAL) was founded in
1991.
It is a secular, non-political, not-for-profit, national level non-
government organization committed to health development.
Services:
Kathmandu Model Hospital, Bagbazar
Kirtipur Hospital,Kirtipur
Resurge International Surgical Outreach Programe
Drug Information Centre

4. Drugs
Drugs are substances that change a person’s mental or physical state.
They can affect the way your brain works, how you feel and behave, your
understanding and your senses. This makes them unpredictable and
dangerous, especially for young people.
Psychoactive drugs are substances that, when taken in or administered
into one's system, affect mental processes, e.g. perception, consciousness,
cognition or mood and emotions.(WHO)
Psychoactive drugs belong to a broader category of psychoactive
substances that include also alcohol and nicotine.
“Psychoactive” does not necessarily imply dependence-producing, and in
common parlance, the term is often left unstated, as in “drug use”,
“substance use” or “substance abuse”.

5. Drug Abuse
Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of certain
chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the
brain.
Drugs of abuse are usually psychoactive drugs that are used by
people for various different reasons which may include:
 Curiosity and peer pressure
 The use of prescription drugs that were originally intended to target
pain relief may have turned into recreational use and become
addictive
 Chemicals may be used as part of religious practices or rituals
 Recreational purposes
 As a means of obtaining creative inspiration

6. Drug Category
Drugs of abuse fall into three groups and these include:
Depressants: These cause depression of the brain's faculties
and examples include sleeping pills (barbiturates) and heroin.
Stimulants: These cause stimulation of the brain, giving rise to
alertness and increased bursts of activity. A rapid heart rate,
dilated pupils, raised blood pressure, nausea or vomiting and
behavioral changes such as agitation, and impaired judgment
may also result. In severe cases, there may be delusional
psychosis which can occur with the use of cocaine and
amphetamines.
Hallucinogens: These cause hallucinations and an "out of this
world" feeling of dissociation from oneself. Hallucinogens may
cause distorted sensory perception, delusion, paranoia and even
depression. Examples include ecstasy, mescaline and LSD.

7. Drug trafficking
• Drug trafficking is a global illicit trade involving the cultivation,
manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject
to drug prohibition laws. UNODC is continuously monitoring and
researching global illicit drug markets in order to gain a more
comprehensive understanding of their dynamics. Drug trafficking
is a key part of this research. Further information can be found in
the yearly World Drug Report.

9. Estimated number of drug users
Male
Female
Total
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
40000
45000
50000
Bagmati
Province
Koshi
Province
Lumbini
Province
Madhes
Province
Gandaki
Province
Sudurpaschi
m Province
Karnali
Province
Male 40855 27013 24912 15614 7968 3562 1768
Female 5625 592 1018 220 988 246 43
Total 46480 27605 25930 15834 8956 3808 1811
Chart Title
Male Female Total

10. Highest level of education of drug users
Illitrate ECE
Lower Basic (Gr
1-5)
Upper Basic (Gr
6-8)
Lower Secondary
(Gr 9-10)
Upper Secondary
(Gr 11-12) Higher
Higher
Total % 3.6 0.4 10.4 25.7 36.6 19.8 3.6
Male % 3.4 0.4 10.3 25.8 36.1 20.3 3.7
Female % 6.1 0.1 13.1 23.2 45.5 10.1 1
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Chart Title
Total % Male % Female %

11. Total %
Male %
Female %
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Unempl
oyed
Daily
wages
Busines
s
Service Study Foreign
employ
ed
Agricult
ure
Industr
y
Pension
Total % 39.7 15.6 15.9 11.7 8.7 4.1 3 0.6 0.2
Male % 38 16.3 16.3 11.8 8.9 4.3 3.1 0.6 0.2
Female % 71.7 2 8.1 9.1 5.1 1 0 0 0
Chart Title
Total % Male % Female %

12. Unemployed, 39.7
Daily wages, 15.6
Business, 15.9
Service, 11.7
Study, 8.7
Foreign employed,
4.1
Agriculture, 3
Industry, 0.6
Pension, 0.2
OCCUPATIONAL STATUS OF DRUG USERS
Percentage of drug users by occupational status by background characteristics, Nepal, 2019

13. 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000
2063
2069
2076
2063 2069 2076
Male 42954 85204 121692
Female 3355 6330 8732
Total 46309 91534 130424
Chart Title
Male Female Total

14. Cannabis Opiates Tranquilizers Inhalants Hallucinogens Stimulants
Series1 90.5 93.5 83.5 12.7 8.7 5.2
Series2 84.7 46.8 73.1 3.9 1.1 2.4
90.5
93.5
83.5
12.7
8.7
5.2
84.7
46.8
73.1
3.9 1.1 2.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Lifetime drug use(ever),2069-2076
Series1 Series2

16. Hepatitis B/C, 15
Mental disorder,
4.1
Tuberculosis, 4
HIV/AIDS, 3.5
STD, 2.5
Malnutrition, 1.3
HEALTH RELATED ISSUE FACED BY DRUG USERS, 2076

17. 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Home Pati/Pauw
a
Under
Bridge
Bush Isolated
places
Corridor Hotel/Rest
urant
others
Male 19 1.5 4.5 13.3 51.9 7 2.1 0.7
Female 47.5 0 1 3 35.4 13.1 0 0
Place of drug intake
Male Female
Percentage of drug users who used drug at different location by background characteristics, Nepal, 2019

18. Cannabis, 84.8
Opiates, 46.7 Tranquilizers, 72.5
inhalants, 3.9
Hallucinogens, 1.1
Stimulants, 2.4
Others, 30.8
Lifetime drug use

19. Harms from drug use
Drug use can affect short- and long-term health , including physical and mental health.
People may experience some of the following:
Taking part in risky behaviors such as drink driving or unprotected sex
Changes in behavior such as mood swings or increased aggression toward others
Impacts on sleep or experiencing insomnia
Cognitive/memory problems
Reduced appetite or not eating a balanced diet
Regular colds and flu
Long term health impacts such as liver, kidney and heart problems or cancer (depending
on the type of drug used and how frequently it was used)
Dental health problems (cavities and gum disease)
Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression
Dependence
Overdose
Psychosis
Infectious disease from shared injecting equipment
Damage to veins from unsafe injecting practices
Financial, work or social problems.

20. Consequences of Drug Trafficking
Prison sentences
Fines
Asset forfeiture: Law enforcement agencies can seize property and assets
connected to drug trafficking and distribution, potentially including homes,
vehicles, and bank accounts.
Loss of professional licenses
Immigration consequences: Non-citizens convicted of drug trafficking and
distribution may face deportation or be denied entry into the United States in
the future.

21. Why quit drugs?
improve your physical and mental wellbeing
reduce your risk of permanent damage to vital organs and death
improve your relationships with friends and family
help you reconnect with your emotions
increase your energy
help you sleep better
improve your appearance
save you money.

22. How to Prevent Drug Abuse
1. Understand how substance abuse develops.
2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure
3. Seek help for mental illness.
4. Examine the risk factors.
5. Keep a well-balanced life.

25. References
• https://www.health.gov.au/topics/drugs/about-drugs/what-are-drugs
• https://www.who.int/health-topics/drugs-psychoactive#tab=tab_1
• https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Drug-Abuse.aspx
• https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/drug-trafficking/index.html
• https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/How-drugs-affect-
your-body
• https://www.health.gov.au/topics/drugs/about-drugs/how-to-reduce-or-
quit-drugs
• https://www.pvamu.edu/sa/drug-and-alcohol-abuse-prevention-program-
daapp/tips-for-preventing-substance-abuse/