Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in Asia

Trends in Drug Abuse in South Asia

BANGLADESH
Cannabis abuse was reported stable, while some increase in the abuse of heroin and pethidine was reported for 1990 (U.N. 1990). An increase in the abuse of psychotropic substances was reported for 1989 (U.N. 1989).

BHUTAN
There are no data which provide indicators of levels and trends of drug abuse (U.N. 1989).

INDIA
A large increase in the abuse of all types of drugs was reported for 1992 (U.N. 1992).

MALDIVES
The abuse of illicit drugs and the illicit use of prescribed drugs is reported to have been introduced by tourists soon after tourism was established in the country. In 1977, two Maldivians were remanded for abuse of cannabis. The trend of increasing incidence of drug abuse by Maldivian youth became more pronounced during the 1980s with increasing number of students returning from abroad (Maldives 1993).

NEPAL
The estimated number of abusers of drugs other than alcohol, tobacco and cannabis has increased from 50 in the late 1960s to 25,000 in 1993 (ESCAP 1993).

SRI LANKA
Some increase in the abuse of heroin was reported for years 1988, 1989, and 1992 and large increase was reported for years 1986, 1987 and 1990 (U.N. 1986-1990, 1992).