Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by
compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences (National Institute on
Drug Abuse, 2014). Substance abuse had spread epidemically in the beginning of the
21st century (MacNeil, Stewart, & Kaufman, 2000). As per World Drug Report 2017
globally, premature deaths due to drugs are estimated to be 1,90,000 out of which the
majority is attributable to the opioids use. An estimated quarter of a billion people of
the world adult population, used drug a minimum of one time in 2015. Even more
worrisome statistics is that, about 29.5 million of drug users suffer from drug use
disorders and out of this, 70 percent of the diseases were attributable to opioids, thus
causing the highest negative impact on health (United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime [UNODC], 2017). India ranks third largest producer of synthetic opium after
Pakistan and Burma (Paoli, Greenfield, Charles, & Reuter, 2009). The menace of drug
abuse in Punjab is worse than the rest of the country. The total number of drug users
in Punjab is 2,32,856 out of which, 99% are male (Phukan, 2017). In this regard,
Singh (2010) reported that the opiates consumption in the state of Punjab is thrice as
per national average report. In India there are about two lakh intravenous drug users
(IDUS) out of which Punjab counts 26.1% (National AIDS Control Organisation
[NACO], 2012). Furthermore, there is 200 to 250 billion dollar expenditure in treating
drug abuse (UNODC, 2010).
The review of existing literature shows that in India and specifically the state of
Punjab has witnessed a gigantic use of drugs in the recent past years (Kalva and
Bansal, 2012). Drugs are related to crime in many ways. To use, purchase, sold,
manufacture or distribute illicit drug is considered as a crime. Propocyphene,
methadone, opiates, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine are a few examples of
these illicit drugs. Their intake changes the behaviour of an individual thus making
them vulnerable to aggression, violence and mental illness. A high percentage of
crime is being done under the influence of drugs or liquor. Literature shows the role
of drugs and alcohols in proliferation of crime. The use of drugs, alcohol consumption
and violent crime are closely linked with each other (Valdez, Kaplan, & Curtis, 2007).
Regarding this, Mumola (1999) reported that 60% to 80% of crime is related to drug.
Additionally, Singh and Singh (2011) observed that drug users are involved in crime
and possess traits that predispose individuals to criminal behaviour such as antisocial
personality disorder (ASPD). Criminal propensity explains the various forms of
antisocial behaviour. "Criminal propensity is genetic however these pathological traits
interact and are often aggravated by environmental social conditions" (Delisi, 2005).
In the similar vein, Singh and Sharma (2016) reviewed literature pertaining to crime,
behaviour of criminals and drug addicts. They identified four dimensions viz.,
aggression, disobedience, anti social behaviour and drug abuse to measure criminal
propensity among drug addicts.
