Global Drug Survey Report 2018

Why in news?
  • A global survey of recreational drug-use, which for the first time polled respondents from India, has found that Indians are seeking help to reduce their alcohol intake.
More in news
  • About Global Drug Survey:
    (1) Online survey that uses a detailed questionnaire to assess trends in drug use and self-reported harms among regular drug users and early adopters of new trends.
    (2) It throws light on stigmatized behaviors and health outcomes of a hidden population that is otherwise difficult to reach.
    (3) The survey is not designed to determine the prevalence of drug behavior in a population.
    (4) GDS use its data and expertise to create digital health applications delivering screening and brief interventions for drugs and alcohol.
  • Situation in India:
    (1) Indians reported ‘being drunk’ on an average of 41 times in the last 12 months well above the global average of 33 times.
    (2) Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis were the most common stimulants used by Indians.
    (3) According to the 2019 GDS, 51% of the respondents wanted to ‘drink less’ in the following year and 41% ‘wanted help to do so’.
    (4) About 6% of the female Indians surveyed reported seeking ‘emergency medical treatment’ in the last 12 months. The global female average was about 13%.
    (5) Only 2% sought emergency medical treatment after using cannabis.
    (6) 51% said they wanted to use ‘less cannabis’ in the following year; more than any other nationality and well above the global average of 31%.
    (7) Alcohol and tobacco apart, the most used drugs globally were cannabis, MDMA (or Ecstacy), cocaine, amphetamines, LSD (or ‘acid’), magic mushrooms, benzodiazepines, prescription opioids, ketamine, nitrous oxide.
Source
The hindu




Posted by Jawwad Kazi on 17th May 2019
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