Pattern and Process of Drug and Alcohol Use in India

World Drug Report 2006 of United Nations has given a figure of 16 million opiate addicts world-wide. This figure is not inclusive of other addictives or alcoholics (1). Opiate is the prime drug of abuse. According to a 2004 United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) and Govt. of India report, India alone has nearly 9 million cannabis users, followed by 2 million opiate users and 0.3 million sedative hypnotics users. Besides, 62 million alcoholics (as big as that of the population of France) were reported in India. Historical Profile of Intoxicant Usage in India