Udta Punjab on alcohol, PGI Chandigarh study says alcohol is maximally abused substance in state

Punjab: Through a recent study conducted by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on Monday, revealed that alcohol is the most commonly abused substance, with over 2 million people in Punjab consuming it, followed by tobacco, which is consumed by more than 1.5 million people. The number of consumption of opioids is around 1.7 lakh people followed by cannabinoids as well as sedative-inhalant- stimulants.

Around 15.4% of the population are mostly men in Punjab that consume alcohol or any other kind of drug, says the study. The study was conducted by Dr. JS Thakur, professor of the community medicine department of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER).

Dr. Thakur told while explaining the findings in detail, "As per the State of Punjab Household Survey (SPHS) and state-wide NCD STEPs Survey by the PGIMER, the projected number of overall substance use in Punjab is 15.4%, with more prevalence among the men. Over 2 million people consume alcohol, followed by tobacco, which is consumed by more than 1.5 million people. Also, around 1.7 lakh people consume opioids, followed by cannabinoids as well as sedative-inhalant- stimulants. These are largely a class of pharmacological or prescription drugs being used illicitly."

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The study also revealed that there is also a large number of injecting drug users in states with a high prevalence of HIV (19.5%) in the survey.

On Monday, Banwarilal Purohit, Punjab Governor, and UT Administrator released the second edition of the book called 'Roadmap for Prevention and Control of Substance Abuse in Punjab', edited by Dr. JS Thakur.PunjabconsumptionPunjab

The report contains comprehensive information on the burden of substance abuse in India and the state of Punjab, various types of substances abused by people, strategies for the prevention and control, the district substance abuse prevention plan, and implementation.

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Meanwhile, Dr. Thakur told The Tribune explaining about the book, "The book has incorporated a few interesting case studies from different parts of Punjab. It has advocated the introduction of life skills education in the school and college curriculums. It also emphasizes the peer group approach in educational institutions which is an effective way to motivate adolescents and young adults. Since the focus is on prevention, the life-cycle approach actually caters to individuals of every age group," said Thakur.

Dr. Thakur told HT that "There should be a self-sustained strategy, which will work towards supply, demand and harm reduction measures. Supply reduction strategy means to target illegal drugs, whereby the efforts generally involve attempts to disrupt the distribution and supply chains for these drugs. Demand reduction can be mediated via the efforts aimed at reducing the public desire for illegal and illicit drugs. De-addiction services are contributing to demand reduction measures."

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