Hooked on a high

Over 50,000 heroin and 200,000 cannabis addicts in Sri Lanka :

By Carol Aloysius

Young people are on a roller coaster today. Peer pressure, impulsive behaviour and the desire to experiment with whatever new product surfaces on the current scene, have collectively propelled them to step out of the accepted norms of social behaviour at the risk of their own health and lives. This risky, devil- may care attitude to life in general, often lures them to anti social activities, the most dangerous of which is ingesting hard drugs. Drugs such as marijuana, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, opium, LSD, Ecstasy and a host of other drugs are increasingly becoming the answer to young people looking for an escape from the hard realities of the real world .

A few who dare to enter this forbidden world, might have the courage and will power to resist their temptation after the first ‘fling’. But many succumb and become addicts. Unable to escape from the nether world of drugs, they become hooked on a cocktail of drugs on which their very existence depends. No matter if they have to beg, borrow or steal from parents, strangers, fellow students or elderly persons, their urgent need of the hour being be able to purchase even one gram of whatever drug they are currently hooked on.

What has led to this surge in harmful drug use among the young Lankans? Has disrupted family life, caused it? Or was it a breakdown in parent-child communications in a society where both parents worked outside the home? Did peer pressure have a role to play? Or was it part of the natural growing up process of young people that has led them to this risky lifestyle?

When the Sunday Observer posed these questions to the Chairman, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Professor Ravindra Fernando, he said, (NDDCB) “In a sense it could be all these reasons. A young person can take to drugs for reasons that vary from maturity of mind, family background , level of education, exposure to drugs from a young age even in the home, and peer pressure, among other factors.

Drug addicts

Acknowledging that the number of drug addicts had risen, he admitted the actual number was difficult to estimate as the drugs they ingested were abused secretly, since they were banned legally. He believed there were about 50,000 to 200,000 ganja cannabis addicts at present, although the numbers could be higher. Responding to my question as to whether a national survey had been done to find out the number of drug addicts, according to age, gender, occupation and literacy levels, he said, “We are planning to do such a survey soon.”

Meanwhile, reliable sources told The Sunday Observer that the only data now available was a few studies done by researchers, cited in the NDDCB reports as well.

Heroin and cannabis are the most abused drugs in Sri Lanka.”, he informed.

In reply to another question as to whether medicinal drugs were also abused and why, he said, “We have reports of cocaine abuse and pharmaceutical drug abuse. The common drugs are diazepam, tramadol which also give a reduced effect of some drugs “.

Since recognising the initial signs of whether a person is on drugs is the first step to early treatment, we asked him to list the typical signs, and their impact..

“Initial symptoms would depend on the type of drug used”, he replied. “For example, heroin causes a sense of well-being, euphoria, contentment, detachment from emotional/physical distress and pain relief. It can cause drowsiness, lack of concentration, respiratory depression and even death. In Sri Lanka heroin is mostly inhaled.

This is much less harmful than intravenous injection. Intravenous drug addicts are more prone to get infections. They die prematurely from acute heroin overdose, inhalation of vomit, acute ulcerative endocarditis, bronchopneumonia and hepatitis.

They are more likely to meet with accidents and commit suicide. Cannabis causes euphoria, “high” feeling, pleasurable state of relaxation, enhancement of sensory experiences, increased appetite, impaired performance, sleepiness, confusion and hallucinations.”

Heroin use

“Addiction to heroin causes serious withdrawal symptoms when heroin is not present in blood. Addicts experience anxiety, restlessness, sweating, yawning, runny nose, watering of the eyes, diarrhoea, incontinence of urine, abdominal pains, muscle cramps, hallucinations and delusions.

Many people have been reported being admitted from an overdose of drugs . How does this happen? Is this a new trend? we asked.

“Drug overdose is common” he said. But deaths are infrequent. The commonest medicinal drug used for overdose today is paracetamol “, he said revealing a shocking fact. According to sources, although most medicinal drugs are now prescribed drugs , paracetamol sold in bulk only, requires a prescription. Any student can buy a few of these tablets from a nearby boutique and collect enough for an overdose.

So what would happen if you drink a cocktail of drugs after combining say, alcohol and barbiturates etc? “It can cause death as both depress the brain activity"

Many drugs that went out of the scene some years ago, like Ecstasy are reportedly making a comeback and can now be found in dance halls, parties, beach parties, night clubs etc. Asked for his comments, Prof. Fernando said, “Yes, Ecstasy is a ‘disco drug’.”

Agreeing that the most vulnerable users were from the city, he said drug peddlers were targeting school kids from private and international schools since they hailed from affluent families. “We are very concerned about these schoolchildren, being lured by unscrupulous vendors. Certain medicinal drugs are also being abused e.g. ativan, morphine, diazepam, morphine and even cough syrups, because they have similar effects to heroin etc in low doses.”

One aspect of drug addiction which has been sidelined both here and abroad is the fact that drug addicts can also pass on various diseases like HIV and sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhoea etc.

When asked how that happens. Prof. Fernando explained that HIV is spread by using syringes to inject drugs like heroin. “Fortunately in Sri Lanka it is rare”, he said .On the other hand , he said, sexually transmitted diseases are common among drug users.

Impact on family

Drug abuse also has a ripple effect on the rest of the society- the immediate family, community and the country’s economic development. Asked for his comments, Prof. Fernando said, “The impact of drug abuse on the individual, family and society is significant. The family and the community can be the origin, but they can also be a potent force for treatment".

So what is the NDDCB doing to help, both, to wean young persons from the drug habit, and reduce the burden on their families and society?

Prof. Fernando said the NCCDB had four treatment centres for drug addicts at: Thalangama. Peradeniya and Unawatuna. In addition, there were between 20-30 run by non governmental organisations, including a Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre at East Kandakadu , Singhapura run by the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitaiton.

“A client needs to stay three months at the centre for residential treatment and then enrol into the relapse prevention programme. Parents/guardians are required to assist the client's recovering process.” he said

“ Wherever possible, the residential program incorporates activities and experiences consistent with normal lifestyles. The clients will have a formal treatment program during week days, less structured activities in the evenings and in weekends".

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Stigma

One of the biggest obstacles in the rehabilitation of a drug addict is, being rejected by his own family, friends, school mates and the community. We wondered how the NDDCB was planning to overcome this obstacle in their mission to rehabilitate them.

Prof. Fernando, said “ Drug addicts are patients . They should be treated with sympathy . Don’t stigmatise them and reject them. “ He also recommended that time honoured family values and more emphasis on religious values be brought back to society and suggested that family counselling should be available for making it easier for families to adjust and accept the return of a family member who was a former drug abuser.

Quoting former UN Secretary General Kofi Anan , he said, “ Illicit drugs destroy innumerable lives and undermine our societies. Confronting the illicit trade in drugs and its effects remains a major challenge for the international community.

According to the Health Ministry, the national goal as outlined by President Maithripala Sirisena is to make Sri Lanka a Drugs Free Nation by 2020. We asked Prof. Fernando if this was possible , given the present obstacles they faced and received the following positive reply, “ If all stakeholders try hard it is possible.”