Changing Pattern of Drug Used Among Youth in Manipur

There has been a change in pattern of drug use over the last few years in the state of Manipur. The bans imposed on narcotic drug from neighboring countries have made heroin costlier. As a results the drug user are looking for a substitute on easily available pharmaceutical drugs. The pharmaceutical drugs which are used for medical purpose are now more popular among drug users. The use of pharmaceutical drugs among youth for addiction is an ongoing epidemic in the state. Substance use disorder is a result from interplay of genetic and environmental factors which contribute to abnormal development and psychological disadvantage. The present study examined the association between demographic, family background, social environment and pattern of drug use among drug users, availability and its consequences. The research was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative method. A total of 75 respondents were purposively selected for the present study. The study reveals that there is a paradigm shift on pattern of drug use among drug users. The mode of operation of the multiple drugs used among the participant shows that most of them are aware of HN/AIDS transmission so they prefer to have oral consumption of drug. But the alarming condition with the use of multiple drugs among drug users is sudden death and fatal accident which the society of Manipur is currently facing among the youth. It is found that there is a rising population of drug users who are multiple drug users. From the case study it is found that there is a close relation between their economic and environmental condition. It is found that the existing cultural and political environment in association with the economic situation restrict as well as manifest the health and life of the people in Manipur.