DRUG ABUSE IN KASHMIR - EXPERIENCE FROM A PSYCHIATRIC DISEASES HOSPITAL

Socio-demographic variables of 189 out-patients with drug abuse who were registered at the Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases, Srinagar were studied. Most of the drug abusers were male, the majority (57.2%) being in the 26-35 age group. Cannabis was the commonest substance abused, followed by heroin. Cannabis abusers had the longest duration of drug use but the lowest rate of drug dependence (29.9%) and lowest rate of multiple drug abuse (6.1%), whereas heroin abusers had the highest rate tjdrug dependence (88.8%) and highest rate of multiple drug abuse (83.4%). More than 50% of drug abusers had impairment in health and psycho social status. Problems with relatives or acquaintances led to treatment contact in about 62% of patients. Other socio-demographic variables such as marital, educational or occupational status did not reveal any significant difference.