COMSATS INSTITUTE OF

INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY

PROJECT REPORT
Topic: Female Drug Abuse

Group Members:
Tariq Yousuf
Sana Munir
Midhat Batool
Atif Talal Lodhi
Irfan Zafar Chishti

Submitted to:
Ms Atiya Siddique
i

Table of Contents

Page

Background to the Study.............................................................................1

1. Introduction...............................................................................1
2. Overview...................................................................................1
3. Women and Drug Abuse...........................................................3
4. Factors in Female Drug Abuse.................................................4
5. Important Terminologies
a. Drug.....................................................................................6
b. Drug Abuse..........................................................................6
c. Drug Addiction.....................................................................7
6. Types of Drugs
a. Heroin..................................................................................7
b. Tranquillizers.......................................................................8
c. Charas.................................................................................8
7. Effects of Drugs.........................................................................8
8. Treatment for Drug Addiction....................................................9

Purpose of the Study....................................................................................9

Objectives of the Study..............................................................................10

Methodology................................................................................................10

Results .................................................................................................11

1. Marital Status VS Drug Choice...............................................11

2. Education VS Drug Choice.....................................................12
3. Education VS Income Level....................................................13
4. Education VS Knowledge about Drugs Effects......................14
5. Education VS Reasons for Drug Addiction.............................14
6. Education VS Source of Income.............................................15
7. Age VS Starting Time of Addiction..........................................16
8. Age VS Drug Choice...............................................................17
9. Income VS Drug Choice.........................................................18
10. Income VS Expenditures........................................................18
11. Percentage in Age Groups......................................................19
12. Percentage in Status Groups..................................................20
13. Percentage in Literacy Groups...............................................21
14. Percentage in Marital Status Groups......................................22

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ii

15. Percentage in Reasons Groups..............................................23

16. Percentage in Source of Introduction Groups........................23
17. Percentage in Drug Choice Groups........................................24
18. Percentage in Expenditures Sources Groups........................25
19. Percentage in Knowledge about Drug Effects Groups...........26
20. Percentage in Treatment Sources Groups.............................27

Profile of Drug Abusers..............................................................................27

1. Profile of Tranquillizers Abusers.............................................28

2. Profile of Charas Abusers.......................................................29
3. Profile of Heroin Abusers........................................................29

Doctors Opinion..........................................................................................30

Conclusions................................................................................................30

Appendix: Questionnaires.........................................................................32

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 Background to the study

Introduction:
The use of legal and illegal drugs has a long history in Pakistan. Prior to partition opium was
cultivated and sold under a licensing policy of the government.
After independence in 1947, the same laws were followed by the government until February
1979, when the Hadood Ordinance was imposed.
This ordinance placed a ban on the cultivation, production, sale and use of narcotics within
Pakistan. Although the ban closed down legal outlets for drugs, illegal availability and use
continued.
Until this period, the issue of drug abuse had not become a social policy consideration or a
national concern. The dramatic increase in opium production in Afghanistan made Pakistan
an important transit gateway for illegal drugs, especially heroin. As a result, drug abuse within
Pakistan became a more pronounced problem. Since that time, the problem of drug abuse
has not only persisted but has continuously increased.
This growing use of legal and illegal drugs compelled the authorities to take the issue of drug
abuse more seriously. Various measures were adopted by the government of Pakistan to
address the issue and conducting nation wide research and surveys was one of them.
Pakistan Narcotics Control Board (PNCB) conducted the first National Survey on Drug Abuse
(NSDA) in 1982. The results showed that heroin was expending on a significant scale and it
was predicted that heroin consumption would continue to rise. Similar NSDAs were
conducted in 1984 and 1986. Both these subsequent surveys indicated a rapid growth
pattern of drug abuse in Pakistan.

In 1988, another NSDA was carried out which present further evidence of the growing
numbers of drug users in Pakistan. This study estimated that there were 2.24 million drug
addicts. The last NSDA was conducted in 1993 and has been widely quoted. This survey
revealed that there were 3.01 million drug users in Pakistan and that this number was rising
at a rate of nearly 7 percent annually. This meant that by the year 2002 the total number of
drug users was projected to rise to 4.8 million. Almost half of the total drug users were
addicted to heroin. Those using charas totaled 0.9 million. The survey brought to light the fact
nearly 72 percent of drug users were under 35 years of age with highest proportion in the 26
– 30 age group.

Women and Drug Abuse:

The 1993 NDSA also revealed that 97 percent of the drugs users were men and 3 percent
were women. The survey team made some efforts to interview female drug users, especially
in the cities of Karachi and Quetta. Twenty-eight (2.8 percent of the total survey samples)
female drug users were interviewed and although this sample was too small to generalize
from it did reveal some important information about the incidence of drug abuse among
women. According to the survey 71 percent of the women were heroin abusers and 11
percent abused chars. The survey further revealed that 93 percent of the respondents were
illiterate. The average personal income and family income of female drug users was
exceptionally low. Nearly 52 percent of the respondents belonged to skilled, sales or other
categories of occupation, while 48 percent identified themselves as beggars. This was
significantly different from the figure of nearly 6 percent who identified themselves as beggars
within the overall population of male and female drug users. The majority of the cases (57
percent) were introduced to drug use by family members and 32 percent by friends. It is
important to note here that the sample population was extraordinarily small (28 women in this
particular aspect of the study) and that; therefore, these figures should be considered not as
generalizations but as indicative figures for a small, and perhaps not representative, group.
Certainly the issue of women and drug abuse is an important one and needs attention. A
search of available research data reveals that not much information is available on drug
abuse by women in Pakistan. There are few research studies conducted by agencies or
students of national universities. One example, a survey undertaken in 1970, was a statistical
survey of two communities in the districts of Rawalpindi and Swat designed to investigate
general attitude regarding the use of opium. This study could find only a few women

2
respondents. A 1994 – 95 research paper addressed the issue of drug addiction and social,
economic and psychological impact on female family members of drug addicts.
In the absence of an updated national report on the drug situation, the exact number of
female drug users in Pakistan is not known. It is generally accepted, however, that their
number is far less than that of men. While it may be correct that there are fewer female drug
users than male users, the fact that field research studies and surveys do not always
represent women adequately must be acknowledged and addressed.

Factors in Female Drug Abuse:

The word drug is commonly know for all kinds of people which is a mood-altering substance,
has been used for medical and other purposes while inappropriate use of drugs put an
individual into hallucination until its withdrawal.
However, the word drug is mostly defined subjectively but keeping this view it has been
objectively defined as, “a drug as a psychoactive substance capable to being used
recreationally. Drugs have also been used for many medical and psychological reasons other
than recreational reasons whereas excessive use of drugs, make an individual addicted. By
addiction means, drugs are used increasingly, repeatedly, and continuously by an individual.
Such individual ultimately renders her social roles and preferences increasingly unimportant.
In other words, it is defined, as addictive behavior is drug use that is habitual and assumes a
functional importance for the individual concerned, such that it renders her other social roles
and preferences increasingly unimportant.
There are many causes contributing to induce an individual take up drugs which vary culture
to culture and society to society such as, to satisfy curiosity, to achieve a sense of belonging
and to be accepted by others. To foster a sense of ease and relaxation, to escape from
realities of life, to express independence and sometimes hostility, lack of recreational facilities
and easy availability of drugs are found to be contributing factors. Further, many drugs users
start to take up drugs with experimentation to enjoy, meeting challenges and facing risks.

3
 Important Terminologies:

Drug:
It is not a scientific term, therefore, it has been variously defined. One of the definitions is as
under:
“In the sociological literature, ‘drug’, as a term, has become synonymous with illicit or socially
condemned substance. In other words, it is not the substance by itself; rather it is the use or
the purpose and the method of its use which confers upon it the title for it classification either
a s a ’drug’ or otherwise (such as a medicine etc.). Thus it is within the context of the social
acceptability and the norms of the society that various substances are classified as ‘drug’.”

Drug Abuse:
It is a term applied when any drug or substance except prescription is used excessively. In
other words, the consumption of a drug apart from medical needs or prescription is drug
abuse. In this regard we can say:
“Drug abuse is ‘a persistent and usually excessive self-administration of any drug which has
resulted in psychological or physical dependence or which deviates from the approved social
pattern of the culture’”.

Drug Addiction:
This is a condition in which an individual takes up one or more drugs continuously. This
continuous or repeated consumption is detrimental to the individual as well as society, while
such individual cannot usually stop this consumption easily and become dependent on it. We
can define it as:
“A state of periodic or chronic intoxication detrimental to the individual and to society,
produced by the repeated consumption of a drug (natural or synthetic). Its characteristics
include an overpowering desire or need (compulsion) to continue taking the drug or to obtain

4
it by any means, a tendency to increase dose, a psychic (psychological) and sometimes a
physical dependence on effects of the drug.”

Types of Drugs:

Women use various types of drugs like Tranquilizers, Sleeping pills, Heroin, Valium and
Charas. The most commonly used drugs are Tranquilizers, Sleeping pills and Heroin. Heroin
is usually used through cigarettes.

Heroin:
It is a semi-synthetic drug, white and brown powder and bitter quinine like taste. Heroin was
first marketed as a cough suppressant. Its name apparently driven from the German heroisch
meaning “powerful” with effect even in small dose.

Tranquilizers:
These are tablets like Laxotonil, Ativan or Noctamid, normally used for relaxation or in
depression or in sleeplessness condition.

Charas:
A plant named Cannabis Sativa is cultivated as a summer crop in certain areas and
harvested in the autumn. It is dried in the shade, the leaves become brittle and are removed
from the stems along with the flowering and fruit-bearing parts of the plant. These are rubbed
over three grades of cloth, one after the other, starting with the finest, then less fine and
finally coarse. In this way parts of leaves etc. are converted into powder, which is sieved
through the cloth and is called chars.

5
 Effects of Drugs:

Drugs alter mood functions understanding awareness by acting on the central nervous
system and other parts of body. The effect of drugs can be hard to predict because they
depend on the amount of drug taken.
In married women the use of drugs causes premature birth or low weight babies or in some
cases dead babies are born. All this causes effects on the life negatively.

Treatment for Drug Addiction:

The first step for the treatment to stop using drugs is called detoxification i.e. to make the
patient comfortable during the process of withdrawal of chemical from the body. Psychiatrist
use Brufen, Paracetamol as analgesics (to reduce pain).
Psychiatrists take life histories of the patient and try to solve the main problems that cause
the drug addiction. The normal treatment period is for 6 months or it depends upon the
patient’s condition or the period of drug usage.
Psychiatrists force the patient’s family members to help in the treatment of patient. Look after
their relationships with patient and encourage them in the treatment period to live with the
drugs.
A variety of scientifically based approaches to drug addiction treatment exist. Drug addiction
treatment can include behavioral therapy (such as counseling, cognitive therapy, or
psychotherapy), medications, or their combination.
Agonist Maintenance Treatment for opiate addicts usually is conducted in outpatient settings,
often called methadone treatment programs. These programs use a long-acting synthetic
opiate medication, usually methadone or LAAM, administered orally for a sustained period at
a dosage sufficient to prevent opiate withdrawal, block the effects of illicit opiate use, and
decrease opiate craving. Patients stabilized on adequate, sustained dosages of methadone
or LAAM can function normally. They can hold jobs, avoid the crime and violence of the street

6
culture, and reduce their exposure to HIV by stopping or decreasing injection drug use and
drug-related high-risk sexual behavior.
Patients stabilized on opiate agonists can engage more readily in counseling and other
behavioral interventions essential to recovery and rehabilitation. The best, most effective
opiate agonist maintenance programs include individual and/or group counseling, as well as
provision of, or referral to, other needed medical, psychological, and social services.
Narcotic Antagonist Treatment Using Naltrexone for opiate addicts usually is conducted in
outpatient settings although initiation of the medication often begins after medical
detoxification in a residential setting. Naltrexone is a long-acting synthetic opiate antagonist
with few side effects that is taken orally either daily or three times a week for a sustained
period of time. Individuals must be medically detoxified and opiate-free for several days
before naltrexone can be taken to prevent precipitating an opiate abstinence syndrome.
When used this way, all the effects of self-administered opiates, including euphoria, are
completely blocked. The theory behind this treatment is that the repeated lack of the desired
opiate effects, as well as the perceived futility of using the opiate, will gradually over time
result in breaking the habit of opiate addiction. Naltrexone itself has no subjective effects or
potential for abuse and is not addicting. Patient noncompliance is a common problem.
Therefore, a favorable treatment outcome requires that there also be a positive therapeutic
relationship, effective counseling or therapy, and careful monitoring of medication
compliance.
Many experienced clinicians have found naltrexone most useful for highly motivated, recently
detoxified patients who desire total abstinence because of external circumstances, including
impaired professionals, parolees, probationers, and prisoners in work-release status. Patients
stabilized on naltrexone can function normally. They can hold jobs, avoid the crime and
violence of the street culture, and reduce their exposure to HIV by stopping injection drug use
and drug-related high-risk sexual behavior.
Outpatient Drug-Free Treatment in the types and intensity of services offered. Such treatment
costs less than residential or inpatient treatment and often is more suitable for individuals
who are employed or who have extensive social supports. Low-intensity programs may offer
little more than drug education and admonition. Other outpatient models, such as intensive
day treatment, can be comparable to residential programs in services and effectiveness,
depending on the individual patient's characteristics and needs. In many outpatient programs,

7
group counseling is emphasized. Some outpatient programs are designed to treat patients
who have medical or mental health problems in addition to their drug disorder.
Long-Term Residential Treatment provides care 24 hours per day, generally in nonhospital
settings. The best-known residential treatment model is the therapeutic community (TC), but
residential treatment may also employ other models, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy.
TCs are residential programs with planned lengths of stay of 6 to 12 months. TCs focus on
the "resocialization" of the individual and use the program's entire "community," including
other residents, staff, and the social context, as active components of treatment. Addiction is
viewed in the context of an individual's social and psychological deficits, and treatment
focuses on developing personal accountability and responsibility and socially productive lives.
Treatment is highly structured and can at times be confrontational, with activities designed to
help residents examine damaging beliefs, self-concepts, and patterns of behavior and to
adopt new, more harmonious and constructive ways to interact with others. Many TCs are
quite comprehensive and can include employment training and other support services on site.
Compared with patients in other forms of drug treatment, the typical TC resident has more
severe problems, with more co-occurring mental health problems and more criminal
involvement. Research shows that TCs can be modified to treat individuals with special
needs, including adolescents, women, those with severe mental disorders, and individuals in
the criminal justice system.
Short-Term Residential Programs provide intensive but relatively brief residential treatment
based on a modified 12-step approach. These programs were originally designed to treat
alcohol problems, but during the cocaine epidemic of the mid-1980's, many began to treat
illicit drug abuse and addiction. The original residential treatment model consisted of a 3 to 6
week hospital-based inpatient treatment phase followed by extended outpatient therapy and
participation in a self-help group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Reduced health care
coverage for substance abuse treatment has resulted in a diminished number of these
programs, and the average length of stay under managed care review is much shorter than in
early programs.
Medical Detoxification is a process whereby individuals are systematically withdrawn from
addicting drugs in an inpatient or outpatient setting, typically under the care of a physician.
Detoxification is sometimes called a distinct treatment modality but is more appropriately
considered a precursor of treatment, because it is designed to treat the acute physiological
effects of stopping drug use. Medications are available for detoxification from opiates,

8
nicotine, benzodiazepines, alcohol, barbiturates, and other sedatives. In some cases,
particularly for the last three types of drugs, detoxification may be a medical necessity, and
untreated withdrawal may be medically dangerous or even fatal.
Detoxification is not designed to address the psychological, social, and behavioral problems
associated with addiction and therefore does not typically produce lasting behavioral changes
necessary for recovery. Detoxification is most useful when it incorporates formal processes of
assessment and referral to subsequent drug addiction treatment.
Treating Criminal Justice-Involved Drug Abusers and Addicts
Research has shown that combining criminal justice sanctions with drug treatment can be
effective in decreasing drug use and related crime. Individuals under legal coercion tend to
stay in treatment for a longer period of time and do as well as or better than others not under
legal pressure. Often, drug abusers come into contact with the criminal justice system earlier
than other health or social systems, and intervention by the criminal justice system to engage
the individual in treatment may help interrupt and shorten a career of drug use. Treatment for
the criminal justice-involved drug abuser or drug addict may be delivered prior to, during,
after, or in lieu of incarceration.
Prison-Based Treatment Programs
Offenders with drug disorders may encounter a number of treatment options while
incarcerated, including didactic drug education classes, self-help programs, and treatment
based on therapeutic community or residential milieu therapy models. The TC model has been
studied extensively and can be quite effective in reducing drug use and recidivism to criminal
behavior. Those in treatment should be segregated from the general prison population, so
that the "prison culture" does not overwhelm progress toward recovery. As might be
expected, treatment gains can be lost if inmates are returned to the general prison population
after treatment. Research shows that relapse to drug use and recidivism to crime are
significantly lower if the drug offender continues treatment after returning to the community.
Community-Based Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations
A number of criminal justice alternatives to incarceration have been tried with offenders who
have drug disorders, including limited diversion programs, pretrial release conditional on
entry into treatment, and conditional probation with sanctions. The drug court is a promising
approach. Drug courts mandate and arrange for drug addiction treatment, actively monitor
progress in treatment, and arrange for other services to drug-involved offenders. Federal

9
support for planning, implementation, and enhancement of drug courts is provided under the
U.S. Department of Justice Drug Courts Program Office.
As a well-studied example, the Treatment Accountability and Safer Communities (TASC) program
provides an alternative to incarceration by addressing the multiple needs of drug-addicted
offenders in a community-based setting. TASC programs typically include counseling,
medical care, parenting instruction, family counseling, school and job training, and legal and
employment services. The key features of TASC include (1) coordination of criminal justice
and drug treatment; (2) early identification, assessment, and referral of drug-involved
offenders; (3) monitoring offenders through drug testing; and (4) use of legal sanctions as
inducements to remain in treatment.

Purpose of the Study

Through the survey, the results of the study will provide information on the levels of drug
abuse among women of various socio-economic problems and the trends of drug use among
them. The study will provide a general overview of a group of female drug users and
treatment services for them.

Objectives:
1. To look into factors, which make a woman, take up drugs.
2. What class and age group is effected the most?
3. How the family is affected?
4. What factors induce a person to seek for rehabilitation?

Methodology:
The sample of 10 female drug user s were selected from Nai Zindagi Rehabilitation Centre in
Rawalpindi and the questionnaire were filled by the help of psychiatrist by case history
approach. The patients and their family members were interviewed.

10
In order to gain more insight of the subject matter, some case studies are also included in the
report.

Results of the Study

This section of the report focuses on the information about present choice of drugs and links
these findings with age, education, marital status, income level and the expenditures of the
respondents.

Drug Choice VS Marital Status:

In the following table we have compared the marital status with drug choice. We can see that
drug addiction in married women is greater than unmarried women and use of charas is
greater than heroin or tranquillizers. The number of heroin users is equal to that of
tranquillizers users both in married and unmarried women. In doctor’s opinion the married
women are more attracted to the drug addiction than unmarried due to various problems like
family pressures of any type or depression.

Table 1:

Marital Drug Choice

Status
Heroin Charas Tranq. Total
Married 1 2 4 7
Unmarried 1 0 2 3
Total 2 2 6 10

Graph 1:
4
3.5
3
2.5
2 Married
1.5 Unmarried
1
0.5
0
Heroin Charas Tranq

11
Education VS Drug Choice:
Education has also an effect on the drug choice. It is found that total number of drug
addiction is greater in uneducated women than that in educated. It has also been found that
both in uneducated and educated women usage of tranquillizers is greater than heroin or
charas.

Table 2:
Education Drug Choice
Heroin Tranq. Charas Total
Uneducated 1 4 2 7
Educated 1 2 0 3
Total 2 6 2 10

Graph 2:
4
3.5
3
2.5
2 Uneducated
1.5 Educated
1
0.5
0
Heroin Tranq. Charas

Education VS Income Level:

We have compared the education level with income level. It has been found that most of drug
users belong to uneducated and poor / low-income level group. In educated women the
middle class is involved with income level of Rs.6000 – Rs.9000. Here we can conclude that
the low-income is also a cause of drug addiction because of expenditure problems. But we
have also found that in same case higher income level group is also included in drug

12
addiction due to lack of education and awareness about drug problems. As we can see in
table 4 that a greater number of uneducated women are not aware about the harms of drug
abuse than the educated women.

Table 3:
Education Income level
3000-5000 6000-9000 >10000 Total
Educated 0 2 1 3
Uneducated 4 1 2 7
Total 4 3 3 10

Graph 3:

4
3.5
3
2.5
2 Educated
1.5 Uneducated
1
0.5
0
3000-5000 6000-9000 >10000

Education VS Knowledge about drug effects:

Table 4:

Education Knowledge about the drug effects

No Total
Yes
Educated 3 0 3

13
 Uneducated 0 7 7
Total 3 7 10

Education VS Reasons of Drug Abuse:

Education ratio is also a cause of problem. Due to illiteracy women could not solve their
problems that hey face in family or by other sources. It has been found that uneducated
women are more vulnerable to drug abuse as compared to educated. In doctor’s opinion
mostly women use drugs due to depress or family pressures, to find relief or to escape from
the realities of life or in depression due to lack of facilities of life, while educated women
normally use drugs on insisting by others.

Table 5:

Education Reasons
Depression Relief Others Total
Uneducated 3 4 0 7
Educated 0 1 2 3
Total 3 5 2 10

Graph 5:
4
3.5
3
2.5
2 Uneducated
1.5 Educated
1
0.5
0
Depress Relif Other

Education VS Source of Introduction:

We have compared source of introduction to drug abuse with education level. It has been
found that source of introduction to drugs by friends and husband is equal in educated and
uneducated women but normally number of uneducated women is greater who are

14
introduced to drugs by themselves or by husband, like in many cases due to depression they
start using drugs by hearing, watching or asking someone. While, doctors conclude that
educated women are mostly introduced by friends, like in some cases working in a factory or
office or girls in living in hostels are introduced by friends.

Table 6:

Education Source of Introduction

Friends Husband Self Total
Uneducated 1 3 3 7
Educated 2 0 1 3
Total 3 3 4 10

Graph 6:

2.5

1.5 Uneducated

1 Educated

0.5
0
Friend Husband Self

Age VS Starting Time of Addiction:

In this table we have shown the duration of drug use compared with their age level. The age
group 30 – 40 has been addicted for 2 to 6 months. Mostly women are addicted fro 2 months
to 1 year. Because of society factors and lack of treatment facilities they suffer for a longer
period. It has also been noted that in age group 31 – 50 women use drugs for lesser duration,
as at this stage they get weaker and are more vulnerable to diseases. Due to sickness they
need to start treatment early.

Table 7:

Starting Time Total

Age <1 Month (2-6) Months (6-12) Months
<20 0 1 1 2

15
 21-30 0 1 1 2
31-40 1 3 0 4
40-50 2 0 0 2
Total 3 5 2 10

Graph 7:
I

2.5

2 <20
1.5 21-30
31-40
1
40-50
0.5
Age VS Drug
0
<1 Mon (2-6) Mon (6-12) Mon
Choice:
Here we have compared drug choice with age groups. It has been noted that the age group
of 30 – 39 mostly use tranquillizers as compared to heroin or charas. The usage of heroin
and charas is equal in 20 – 29 and 40 – 49 age groups. In other words we can say that
tranquillizers are popular in every age group while use of heroin is found in 20 – 29 and 40 –
49 age groups. Other the other hand charas is common in 30 – 39 age group.

Table 8:

Drug Choice
Age Heroi Tranq. Charas Total
n
20-29 1 2 0 3
30-39 0 2 2 4
40-49 1 2 0 3
Total 2 6 2 10

Graph 8:
I
2

1.5

20-29
1
30-39
40-49
0.5

0 16
Heroin Tranq. Charas
Income VS Drug Choice:
Income level plays major roll in choosing drugs in women. It is common that lower income
levels cause greater drug addiction but in may cases higher income level societies the drug
addiction has also been found. In doctors opinion in some cases parents do not pay proper
attention to their children. Girls living in hostels or some married women are affected by lack
of attention by their husbands. In some cases drugs have been used for pleasure seeking, as

the expenditure is not a problem for them. In lower income families drug addiction has been a
cause of depression and lack of facilities. It has also been found that tranquillizers are
commonly used in each income level because these are easily available at low price.

Table 9:
Drug Choice Total
Income Heroi Tranq. Charas
n
3000 – 5000 1 1 2 4
6000 – 9000 0 3 0 3
>10000 1 2 0 3
Total 2 6 2 10
Graph 9:

3
2.5
2
3000-5000
1.5
6000-9000
1 >10000
0.5
0
Heroin Tranq. Charas

17
Income VS Expenditure:
In the following table we have discussed the ways of meeting expenditures compared with
income levels. We have found that in lower income levels the source of expenditure is mostly
begging. In middle or higher income classes the expenditures have been meet through
pocket money. If in low-income families, women start meeting expenditure through pocket
money, it could result in other kinds of problems. Some times due to worsening financial
problems, women have been kicked out of houses or divorced.

18
Table 10:

Expenditure Total
Income Begging Friends Pocket
Money
3000 – 5000 3 0 1 4
6000 – 9000 0 0 3 3
>10000 0 0 3 3
Total 3 0 7 10

Graph 10:

3
2.5
2
1.5 3000-5000

1 6000-9000
>10000
0.5
0
Begging Friend Pocket
Mon.

Percentage-wise Comparisons
This section shows percentage-wise comparisons of various groups.

Percentage in Age Groups:

\Here we can see that the age group 30 – 39 has a higher percentage of drug addiction while
that in 20 – 29 and 40 – 49 age groups percentage of drug addiction is equal.

Table 11:
AGE NUBMER PRECEN.
20-29 3 30
30-39 4 40
40-49 3 30
TOTAL 10 100

19
Graph 11:

AGE PERCENTAGES OF DRUG ADDICITS

60

PERCENTAGES
40
20
0
20-29 30-39 40-49
AGE GROUPS

Percentage in Status Groups:

The following comparison shows that housewives are more vulnerable to drug addiction as
compared to employed women or students.

Table 12:
STATUS NUMBER PERCENT.
EMPLYER 4 40
HOUSWIFE 5 50

STUDENT 1 10
TOTAL 10 100

Graph 12:
I
STATUS OF DRUG ABUSE WOMEN.

60
PERCENTAGE

40

20

0
EMP LYER HOUSWIFE STUDENT

STATUS

20
Percentage in Literacy Groups:
In the table below we can see that the percentage of drug addiction is higher in uneducated
group as compared to educated group.

Table 13:
EDUCATION NUMBER PERCENT.
UNEDUCATED 6 60
EDUCATED 4 40
TOTAL 10 100

Graph 13:

EDUCATION LEVEL PERCENTAGE

80
PERCENTAGE

60
40
20
0
UNEDUCATED EDUCATED
EDUCATION

Percentage in Marital Status Groups:

The following table compares the percentages of married and unmarried women. We can see
that the percentage of drug addiction is much higher in married group than in unmarried
group.

Table 14:
MARITAL
STATUS NUMBER PERCENT.
MARRIED 7 70
UNMARRIED 3 30
TOTAL 10 100

21
Graph 14:
MERATIAL STATUS PERCENTAGE OF DRUG
ABUSE WOMEN

80

PERCENTAGE
60
40
20
0
MARRIED UNMARRIED

MERITAL STATUS

Percentage in Reasons groups:

This table shows the percentage in reasons groups. Here we can see that most women use
drugs for seeking relief. The other major reason that effect women is the depression.

Table 15:
REASONS NUMBER PERCENT.
DEPRESS 3 30
RELIEF 5 50
OTHERS 2 20
TOTAL 10 100

Graph 15:

REASONS PERCENTAGE IN DRUG

ABUSE WOMEN

60
50
PERCENTAGE

40
30
20
10
0
DEPRESS RELIEFE OTHERS

REASONS

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Percentage in Source of Introduction Group:
It has been witnessed that women are mostly self-motivated towards drug addiction while the
percentage of introduction by friends and husbands is also high.

Table 16:
SOURCES NUMBER PERCENT.
FRIENDS 3 30
HUSBAND 3 30
SELF 4 40
TOTAL 10 100

Graph 16:
SOURCE OF INTRODUCATION TO DRUG

50
40
PERCENTAGE

30
20
10
0
FRIENDS HUSBAND SELF
SOURCES

Percentage in Drug Choice Group:

It has been seen that tranquillizers are the most popular type of drugs in women drug addicts.
Heroin and Charas are equal in percentage but are low in use as compared to tranquillizers.

Table 17:
DRUGS NUMBER PERCENT
HEROIN 2 20
TRANQ. 6 60
CHARAS 2 20
TOTAL 10 100

23
Graph 17:
DRUGS CHOICE PERCENTAGE IN WOMEN

80

PERCENTAGES
60
40
20
0
HEROIN TRANQ. CHARAS
DRUGS

Percentage in Expenditure Source Group:

Women mostly bear their expenditures for drug purchase through their pocket money, while
begging is another source of income to meet drug purchase expenditures.

Table 18:
EXPENDITURE
SOURCE NUMBER PERCENT.
FRIENDS 0 0
BEGGING 3 30
POCKET MONEY 7 70
TOTAL 10 100

Graph 18:

EXPENDITURE SOURCES IN WOMEN

80
PERCENTAGES

60
40
20
0
FRIENDS BEGGING POCKET MONEY
SOURC ES

24
Percentage in Knowledge Groups:
This table shows that the percentage of drug addiction is much higher in those women who
do not know about the ill effects of drug abuse as compared to those who have some
knowledge about the bad effects of drugs.

Table 19:
ANSWER NUMBER PERCENT.
YES 3 30
NO 7 70
TOTAL 10 100

Graph 19:
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DRUG EFFECT

80
PERCENTAGE

60
40
20
0
YES NO
ANSWERS

Effects of drugs:

By our questioner we have concluded that 70% patient have effect on their life and 30% says
that it effect on their lives also. There was 1 who was divorced and one who was living
separately from her husband.

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 Treatment Sources:
There were 3 patients those came to the treatment center by their husband. And 6 patients
were come by their family members like parents. Only 1 was getting treatment by his friends.
(As she was working at their home as a servant)

Profile of the Drug Abusers

While it is impossible to accurately portray a typical drug abuser based on the extremely
small population sample in this survey, it is perhaps useful to characterize some of the
findings in an effort to see some of the stronger trends that became apparent from studying
this group of women. In the following sections, profiles of the drug users are made by taking
interviews from drug user by us. They are hesitating to tell us all about their life histories. This
formulation, while imperfect, may give some idea of patterns within the group.

Profiles of the Tranquillizer Abusers:

Case Study #1:
She was a thirty year old. She was introduced to drug nearly five months ago. It was her
physician who prescribed some medicines for her to treat an illness. Her problem was anxiety
and depression, due to some domestic difficulties caused by economic situation. The
physician introduced her to take a daily dosage of one sleeping pill. Then gradually she
increased the dosage and sometimes took in any numbers. This impact on her life negatively
and her relationship with her husband became tense. One day he quarreled with her and
pushed her out of house. She went to her parent’s house and they took her to the therapist
who referred her to the treatment center. Now the dosage was gradually being reduced and
she was being treated.

Case Study #2:

She was a thirty-nine years old illiterate lady. She had only one son who died of typhoid in the
age of six. She had no other children after the death of her only son. She became ill due to

26
the depression. She had the problem of sleeplessness. Once her doctor gave her sleeping
pills to take a dosage daily. After that she started to increase the dosage. Her husband took
her to the therapist who referred her to the treatment center. In her view taking sleeping pills
is not drug addiction.

Profile of Charas Abuser:

Case Study #3:
She was a thirty-five years old illiterate lady. She got married in the age of 25 years. Her
husband was a car mechanic and also was heroin and charas abuser. She did not have any
children. So her husband and in-laws tortured her. One day her husband beat her and then
smoked a cigarette filled with charas and went to asleep. She thought that this might be a
relaxing thing, so she took a cigarette out of her husband’s packet and smoked it. Although it
was very difficult for the first time but it made her relaxed. That’s how she started smoking
charas filled cigarettes. The situation became more and more difficult and one day her
husband divorced her. She went to live with her uncle who took her to the treatment center.
She has been treated very well and now she is improving fast.

Profile of Heroin Abuser:

Case Study #4:
She was a widow of 45 years old and was uneducated. She was working in different houses.
She had a very low income and was also living in a rented house. Her young daughter also
had to do work in houses. One of her sons was working in an auto-workshop while the other
was studying in fifth class. The owners (both husband and wife) of her house were heroin
addicts. One day her owner asker her to take a smoke it will give her a grate relief. She
hesitated at the first time but after that she started smoking whenever she felt tired. It put very
bad effects on her health. One of her relatives, who came to know about her smoking heroin,
took her to a treatment center. She is now recovering and is feeling very happy about the
treatment.

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 Doctor’s Opinion

There is very low ratio of women drug addicts that came for rehabilitation. Reasons for this
are that they have no awareness about the effects of the drugs addiction. Also in government
hospital the lack of treatment facilities is another issue that lead to more problems.
Government should make some policies and start a media campaign to provide guidance
about drug abuse. NGOs shall also do some serious work in this direction and provide
treatment facilities and establish more rehabilitation centers especially for female drug users.

Conclusions

• We have visited different treatment centers and we conclude that only one percent of
women drug users sought treatment for their addiction.
• Doctors agreed that drug abuse among women is on an increase.
• As we visited the Government hospitals we have found that they have no treatment
facilities besides basic detoxification services.
• Drug addiction among women is not a passing phenomenon. It is increasing and
efforts at reduction should be conscientiously undertaken.
• We have found through our research that for many women, lack of awareness about
drug abuse play a significant role in allowing them to begin to use drugs.
• We also conclude that poverty play a significant role in motivating women to become
drug users.
• This study shows that young women from economically stable families are also a part
of the growing numbers of drug addicts.
• We have found that Illiteracy is one of the greater factors that cause drug addiction.
As Literacy rate also effects on income level and low-income is itself a problem that
causes more problems in families.

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• We have concluded from this study that married women are more involved in drug
addiction than unmarried. They mostly use drugs to escape depression and/or family
problems.
• Drug addiction in women cause serious problems like separation or divorce.

29