HVK Archives: Alcoholism is a greater problem than drugs in Northeast
Alcoholism is a greater problem than drugs in Northeast - Times of India
Rupa Chinai
()
2 Apr 1997
Title : Alcoholism is a greater problem than drugs in Northeast
Author : Rupa Chinai
Publication : Times of India
Date : Apr 2, 1997
Emerging trends in northeastern states indicate that alcohol abuse
is turning out to be the most serious health problem affecting
young people here and could be even more serious than drug abuse.
Doctors and social workers in the region say there is an urgent
need for health policy interventions.
Alcohol abuse is cited as the main factor leading to unrestrained
muiti-partner sex, for the consequent high rates of sexually
transmitted diseases (STD) and the rising incidence of HIV
infection. However, policy makers at the Centre and in the states
are ignoring the problem.
The Nagaland government dismisses the link between alcohol and HIV
as a ploy conjured up by the church and social organisations which
support total prohibition. The Congress government here is bent
upon partially lifting prohibition with the single-minded objective
of generating revenue and, according to many Nagas, "substantial
kickbacks."
Even in a state devoid of any systematic data collection,
monitoring and record keeping, the trends are clearly discernible.
According to Joyce Angami, a counsellor with the Kripa Foundation
which supports the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts,
there is "a significantly higher incidence of HIV that is
sex-related among alcohol addicts."
Until now, Northeast India with its proximity to the 'Golden
Triangle' (the opium fields of Myanmar) -has seen a high incidence
of drug abuse, particularly intravenous injection of high grade
white heroin. Needle-sharing among drug users led to the spread of
HIV, particularly in small states like Manipur, a major corridor in
the heroin trafficking route.
While refined heroin from Myanmar continues to reach the
international market through entry points in Manipur, Nagaland and
Mizoram, its price has gone up in the local market. In Kohima one
gram of heroin costs Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,600, while in Imphal it is
reportedly available for Rs 500.
The high price is related to the disruption of traffic on Highway
No 39 between Manipur and Nagaland which is caused by bandhs, heavy
security operations and fighting on account of communal clashes.
Social workers in Imphal, however, say that the main problem is
alcohol, though the government says Manipur is a dry state.
According to Anand Chowdhury, a doctor with the Kripa Foundation, a
household survey conducted by them in Manipur last year shows that
"alcohol is the main problem, but no one wants to admit it." Abuse
of soft drugs, such as locally grown ganja, is also widespread.
Addicts in Nagaland who find it difficult to pay for expensive
heroin are turning to a range of softer drugs or alcohol. In
border areas such as Mon, almost 50 per cent of young people are
smoking opium and abusing pharmaceutical drugs. In Kohima, they
are also resorting additionally to locally made brews mixed with
methyl spirit, which is said to give a "stronger kick."
Kezhalelo Angami, a surgeon at Kohima's Naga Hospital, says there
is a discernible decline in the use of heroin but a sharp increase
in synthetic opiates. Analgesics such as spasmoproxivon and
diazepam are being mixed with water and injected into the jugular
vein or the groin. "Often they mistake the artery for the vein,
resulting in serious complications. The number of such cases
needing surgery are increasing."
Meanwhile, the hospital is also seeing a 70 per cent incidence of
liver diseases because of alcohol abuse. The average age group of
such patients is much lower than in other parts of India.
According to gastroentologist Tali Longkumer, "By the time they are
30 or 35, these Nagas, who drink in excess, are already beyond
cure.
We are also seeing a host of neurological problems, nerve paralysis
or liver cirrhosis associated with alcohol abuse. At any given
time, out of 27 beds in my ward, about five are alcohol related.
Hepatitis B and stomach cancer are also significant."
Sexually transmitted diseases are an indicator of multi-partner
sex, often resulting in HIV infection. Skin specialist Vizolie
confimis this trend, seen in the general Naga population and among
antenatal women since 1994. An alarming trend is the presence of
STD patients as young as 12 years of age.
Also, females are found to be much younger than their male
partners. While the average age of females is 16 to 20 years, the
male partner averages 25 years, and is usually found to have sex
under the influence of alcohol, he said.
Meanwhile, the government of India's own data should be forcing it
to ask questions about the changing trends.
For instance, surveillance data of the National AIDS Control
Organisation compares data from Nagaland and Mizoram, and finds
that Nagaland has been more successful in ensuring the use of clean
needles by drug addicts, but the incidence of HIV infection among
IV drug users is higher here.
Does this point to changing risk factors in Nagaland, related to
alcohol abuse and multi-partner sex?
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