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Drug abuse has victims beyond conventional crimes.
Domestic violence amongst others is a serious consequence of drug abuse with members of the
family as the prime victims. The response of law enforcement is crucial and central to the
issue. The research is an attempt to state and analyze the problem of drug abuse and related
domestic violence within the Indian milieu.
This study investigates drug abuse and related domestic
violence through the following variables: extent, pattern victim of domestic violence,
causative factors and response of law enforcement. Based on the social learning theory as the
main theoretical framework the study has been conducted through a multi disciplinary
multi-method approach. Data ha
Nine hypothesis have been formulated and tested
in the current research.
The first hypothesis states that there is positive
correlation between drug abuse and the extent of domestic violence. The results reveal that
there is positive correlation between these variables.
The second hypothesis states that drug abuse can predict
domestic violence. Results of the multiple regression analysis reveal that the extent of drug
abuse is a significant predictor of domestic violence behaviour.
The third hypothesis states that assulative is the most
common type of domestic violence. This hypothesis is supported by the study.
The fourth hypothesis states that more number of married
person are involved in drug abuse related violence. The results support this hypothesis.
Hypothesis five states that wives and parents are the
prime victims of domestic violence of drug addicts. The study confirms this hypothesis.
Hypothesis six states that there are more incidents of
domestic violence among the addicts of lower age group. The study reveals that there is high
correlation between drug abuse and domestic violence only for 26-30 years age group which does
not fully confirm the hypothesis.
The seventh hypothesis states that lower the educational
level of drug addicts higher the magnitude of domestic violence. This hypothesis stands
rejected as there is no signif icant relationship between drug abuse and domestic violence in
the illiterate and upto primary level education group.
Hypothesis eight states that motivation for drug abuse
stages i.e. , , initiation, continuation and readdiction are different for the violent and
nonviolent groups. Factors considered in this study are ignorance, curiosity, peer group inf
luence,' switch over to harder drugs, domestic and marital unhappiness, stress in studies, and
at work environment of drug abuse in the family, proximity to availability of dru
s, unemployment, involvement with crime, no interest in living, non congenial
home environment, feeling and neglect, boredom lot of money to use etc. It is observed that
ignorance is the most important factor followed by peer group influence for initiation
continuation and readdiction followed by curiosity which is reported by 55 addicts as the
reasons for initiation of drug use. However, 52 persons have also reported this as the
motivating factor for continuation. Peer pressure takes the first place in case of violent
respondents for continuation and re-addition. For initiation and continuation curiosity takes
the next position for violent respondents while it finds no place in readdiction process.
Motivation for continuation and readdiction also seems to be comparatively related to
switching over to hard drugs in case of violent addicts. Domestic unhappiness seems to act as
a motivator for readdiction of violent addicts much more as compared for initiation and
continuation.
Hypothesis nine discusses the role of police in the
issue of drug abuse and domestic violence. Part A of the hypothesis states that domestic
violence is not reported to police. Part B of the hypothesis states that when drug abuse
and related violence is reported, there is indifference of police. However, the study reveals
that reporting to police is negligible. Perhaps the police reputation of indifference keeps
the victims away. Parents also do not report for family reasons. The pattern of police
intervention also indicates that police officers may not be fully familiar with the latest
laws on the subject. This hypothesis is supported by the study. It appears that the department
also does not appear to be offering any specific guidance. The study therefore calls for clear
department policies of training and guidance for police personnel.
This study also proposes a legal amendment in section 27
of the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 to strengthen law enforcement in
regard to drug abuse related domestic violence. Further this research also offers
recommendations for "Co-ordinated" and "Corrective" approach by community
and law enforcement in handling drug abuse and related domestic violence.
