HEALTH ISSUSES

The South Asian Community and Drugs

___________________________________________________________

By: Imtiaz Patel Dip., MSc.

Dr A K Shakoor - MBE (Health Professional)

Throughout history drugs have been used all over the world and in all cultures. Each region has its own drugs. Opium from the opium poppy originally came from Asia and the Middle East. Magic Mushrooms (psilocybin) are native to northern Europe and were used for their mindaltering properties in pagan religious rites. The leaves of the coca plant were traditionally chewed by many native South American tribes for their ability to improve attention and alertness and the feeling of well-being they impart. Some native American tribes traditionally used mescalin during their religious rites, as a window into the world of the spirit.

A drug is a chemical that enters your body and changes your physical or mental state. Drugs have always been in use to relieve the pain of illness or to change the way we feel. Drugs are a part of our heritage, figuring heavily in myths and religions. When drugs are given or taken in order to cure or relieve the symptoms or effects of an illness or injury, we say that they are being used ‘therapeutically’. But people also take drugs to achieve an altered mood or state, or to improve performance. The drugs that people use in these ‘recreational’ ways range from alcohol and tobacco through to substances like heroin, which are invaluable when used in a medical context but can wreck the lives of people who become dependent on them for any pleasure.

Out of all the European countries, Britain has the highest proportion of drug users. By the age of sixteen over half of the young people, including Asian young people in Britain will have experimented with different drugs. Recent reports from the government and some reports produced by the local agencies have indicated that drug abuse amongst the South Asian heritage communities is on the increase. Drugs affect everyone, regardless of class, culture, religion and education. The government and many NGO organisations are working hard to raise the awareness of drug harm programmes but it is not easy and there is no black and white solution to stop young people using drugs.

Particularly, parents often wonder why young people are so much into drug culture or why young people take drugs? Well, there are some reasons, which we need to understand, why young people are so much into drug culture?

Curiosity: Growing up, finding your own identity and place in the world is difficult for young people. This can be even more harder for and more confusing for a young British young Asian person living in a Western environment. Identity confusion creates lot of stress and tension for young people to cope with the reality. At the beginning, most of the young people, regardless of their religious and cultural background, who use drugs are experimenting, a simple curiosity to find out what it’s like.

As a young person, who always looks for a bit of fun and excitement, using drugs is illegal and risky can make it seem more adventurous and exciting.

Enjoyment: They may not like the experience and stop after using a couple of times. However a number will enjoy the effects of drugs and use them occasionally. Most of these will grow out of it as they get older. Many young people view using drugs as normal. It does not mean that there is anything wrong with them. They may well see drug use as fun and something that makes them feel good that they enjoy doing with friends.

To cope with problems: A few young people will use drugs heavily. Often this is because of emotional or social problems they face; they are unhappy, bored, can’t find a job etc. They will use drugs to try to cope with what they see as a harsh, unfriendly world.

Because they have been led astray? One very common myth is that dealers give free drugs to children to get them hooked and forced them to buy at inflated prices. The truth is that most young people get their drugs from friends, acquaintances, older brothers/sisters and small time user/dealers rather than big time dealers. Friendship and ‘fitting in’ are very important. Some people may be encouraged to use drugs by friends or to try to fit in with the crowd. But there is also a lot of pressure not to use drugs. Too often parents like to blame drug use on someone else rather than realising that, whether they like it or not, a lot of young people freely choose to use drugs.

Because I failed as a parent? A lot of parents think it is their fault if their child uses drugs. “Where did we go wrong?” Remember, a lot of young people are experimenting with drugs and they come from all cultures, religions, castes, classes and areas and all sorts of homes. It is difficult enough being a parent without blaming ourselves. Guilt does not help anyone, least of all our children. A few South Asian parents believe that the influence of  western society is responsible for drug abuse in their communities. They believe that if they send them ‘back home’ to the sub-continent the drug problem will be removed. However, the truth is that drug abuse is more widespread in the sub-continent than in the UK. Hence, parents will have to be very careful in making decisions regarding their children when it comes to drug education and treatment.

Facts about drugs: AMPHETAMINE:

What is it? Amphetamine sulphate is a man made drug that usually comes in a white, grey, pink or yellowy powder. It also can sometimes be in tablet or capsule form. Street names of this drugs are Amphet, billy, speed, sulph, whizz. Amphetamine is a stimulant drug which makes people feel more awake and alert. A single dose will have an effect for at least 3-4 hours. Amphetamine is controlled as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drug Act and a Class A drug if injected.

CANNABIS: Cannabis comes from the cannabis hemp plant which is grown in many parts of the world. It comes in three main forms: Resin is a brown/green/yellowish compressed block that can look a bit like a stock cube; Herbal is the leaves of the plant which when dried and crushed may look like common herbs used for cooking;

A black oil - which is only rarely available. Cannabis is imported from many countries. Resin often comes from Afghanistan, Colombia, Lebanon, Morocco and Pakistan.

The herbal form is often imported from Europe and some is also grown in this country (home grown). Cannabis is a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is illegal for someone to have cannabis in their possession or to supply it to other people.

ECSTASY: Ecstasy is a man made illegally manufactured drug. It usually comes in a tablet or capsule form. Occasionally it can be a powder or liquid. Ecstasy has many street names with different brands. Common names include doves, E, love doves, M and M’s, MDMA, Shamrocks, X and XTC. About 50 young people have died using ecstasy to date. Most of these deaths have been caused by overheating from dancing for too long in hot, sweaty clubs. There is also the issue of ecstasy and sex. Some people say ecstasy makes them feel very sexy and the danger is they might get involved in sexual situations they will later regret and not practice safer sex. Ecstasy is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act and treated in a similar way to heroin and cocaine. It is illegal for someone to have Ecstasy in their possession or to supply it to other people.

LSD: This is a man made illegally manufactured drug. Tiny amounts are needed to get an effect. The liquid is usually dropped on to blotting paper or cardboard sheets cut into 5mm squares. LSD has many street names like Acid, blotter, drop, L, Lucy, stars and many other names often depending on the pictures on the blotters. LSD is a psychedelic or hallucinogenic drug. This means it distorts the sense. The effects start after about 30 minutes and can last up to 8-12 hours with stronger doses. LSD is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act and treated in the same way as heroin and cocaine. It is illegal for someone to have LSD in their possession or to supply it to other people.

Magic Mushrooms: Magic Mushrooms are small bell/nipple shaped mushrooms which grow wild all over the UK. In autumn. They have a similar effect to LSD. 20-30 mushrooms are a usual dose. One added risk is picking the wrong mushrooms and getting poisoned. They are not illegal to use raw but become an illegal drug if they are processed (dried out and stored, cooked with, made into a tea).

POPPERS: (Also called Amyl or Butyl Nitrite or Liquid Gold): A gold coloured liquid that usually comes in a small bottle. Sometimes seen as small glass vials containing the liquid, which can be “popped” open. Although real poppers are rare in this country the name is still often used for bottles of the liquid. There are many brand names displayed on the bottle labels. Examples are KIX, Locker room, Ram, Rock hard, Stag, Stud, TNT and Rush. Much is imported from America but some is made and bottled in the UK. The effects of inhaling poppers start straight away but only last a few minutes without a repeat dose. Poppers are not illegal to use or sell.

SOLVENTS: Glues, Gases, Aerosols etc.: A wide range of household and industrial products which can be sniffed to get high. Most households contain many sniffable products. The middle classes used to have sniffing parties in Victorian times using.  Petrol sniffing has gone on in the armed forces for many years.

It is only in the last 15 years that there has been widespread use of solvents amongst young people. It varies a lot in different areas and seems to come and go. Solvents are very cheap and possibly free if taken from home or stolen from a shop.

The effects of solvents are a bit like being drunk very quickly. The effects start very quickly with an initial rush feeling but wear off within 45 minutes to an hour. The disorientating effects of solvents make accidents from falling over more likely. In the last few years there have been nearly 150 deaths a year involving solvent use. Solvents are not illegal to use at any age. There is a law making it illegal in England and Wales for a shopkeeper to sell solvent products to under 18’s if they know they will use them to get high.

OTHER DRUGS: Anabolic Steroids: Anabolic Steroids are different from steroids used to treat eczema and asthma. They help build a muscular body. They can come in pill form or as a liquid that can be injected. They are not illegal to use but are illegal to supply to other people.

Cocaine and Crack: Cocaine and Crack are strong stimulant drugs. They tend to be quite expensive and not used widely by the younger age range. Both are Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act and illegal for people to have in their possession or to supply to others.

Heroin: Heroin is a strong depressant drug, which comes as a brown or whitish powder. It is usually smoked or injected. It is a Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act and illegal for people to have in their possession (without a prescription) or to supply to others.

Methadone: Methadone is a depressant drug which is often prescribed by doctors to help people cope with dependence on heroin. It comes as a syrup which is drunk. It is a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act and illegal for people to have in their possession (without a prescription) or to supply to others.

Tranquillisers: Tranquillisers are one of the most widely  prescribed drugs in the UK. They are depressants. Some young people use them occasionally in tablet form sometimes with alcohol. They are not illegal to use without a prescription but are illegal to give to other people.

NEW DRUGS: Every few weeks you pick up the paper to find a report of some new, strange sounding “Killer” drug. Ketamine and GHB are examples of drugs that have been highlighted recently. We need to keep it all in perspective and not to panic each time a ‘new’ drug arrives on the scene. DON’T BE TAKEN IN BY THE MEDIA HYPE.

From the Asian perspective, British Asians are the only people who should not be surprised about this latest evidence showing increasing drug use among their young. It is about time we recognised that the principles we strive on - hard work, patience, faith, moral values, obedience to law and order - are becoming less important to our new generation. They grew up in the environment which is very vulnerable and different then their parents who came here in the early sixties.

Most young people think their parents belong to another embarrassing planet. In that sense they are no different from any other group except there has been this huge mythology that strong family values and religious influence and community leaders were strong enough to keep out the problems that afflict mainstream society. And whenever reality has stood in front of them, most of the elder members of the communities have reacted very naively.

However, it is true that the most rebellious among our young are still afraid of social and family disapproval and that statistically, fewer of them are sexually promiscuous or into drinking or even drug taking than is the norm in British society. But some of this disparity is due to the way the problems are successfully kept hidden by our community leaders and also by our communities.

We need to raise proper awareness about drug misuse within the community framework at different levels through various educational means. But why Asian children are vulnerable to this horrific and expensive habit? The children of rich Asians pick up the habit in public schools where drugs are rife and again the parents do little except react with hysteria or use whatever resources they have in keeping the news away from their people. The young people are married off too soon, or sent of to Bangladesh, India or Pakistan - where drugs are just easy to find and sometimes even more cheaper then European countries. There is a lack of awareness on how to utilise drug services like drug rehabilitation programmes. The drug agencies have also not found the way of accessing the Asian community but also because most Asians fear any official intervention would lead to exposure and shame.

Another survey indicated that racism and under-education have led far too many children of poor Asians falling into drug dealing and hard drug taking. When you talk to families you also realise the hardships of life faced by many immigrants means that they have not been able to give up enough time to parent the children, especially the boys.

What we now need to do as a community to accept that we have this serious problem and as a community we need to focus on positive solutions and there is no need to feel the fear of this evil problem which is affecting our new generation. By recognising the drug problem we need debate and dialogue amongst ourselves and establish partnerships to find the way in which how best to help our children who are so lost at the moment in the world of confused identity and illicit drugs. We as the community have to be very careful not to alienate and demonise our children. And that if we want to change this and be true to our image of good family people, we must listen and speak more and more to our children and we need to set up a community debate forum in order to raise more awareness around drug misuse.

DRUG LAWS: Every year over 45,000 people are arrested for drug offences in the UK. The vast majority are for use of small amounts of the drugs we talk about in this article. That means it is very important that you and your children to know all about the drug laws. The main law covering the use of drugs is called the MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT.

It divides drugs into three classes as follows. CLASS A: Cannabis oil, cocaine and crack, ecstasy, heroin, methadone, processed magic mushrooms, LSD and amphetamine if it is injected. CLASS B: Amphetamine, Cannabis resin and herb. CLASS C: Some tranquillisers.

THE MAIN OFFENCES: POSSESSION: Having a small amount of a drug for your own use. POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO SUPPLY: Having a drug which you intend to sell to others. SUPPLY: Supplying a drug to someone else.

 MAXIMUM POSSIBLE PENALTIES ARE: POSSESSION: CLASS A - 7 years plus fine. CLASS B - 5 years plus fine. CLASS C - 2 years plus fine. SUPPLY: CLASS A - Life plus fine. CLASS B - 14 years plus fine. CLASS C - 5 years plus fine.

WHAT YOU CAN DO AS A PARENT: There are no black and white answers. However, as a parent and as a responsible community, we can help our children and young people a lot and make sure they know about drugs. We can help keep them as safe as possible and be there for them when they need us. Some of the practical things we can do are: 1) Learn about drugs yourself. 2) Talk and listen to your children. Have a regular constructive conversation. 3) Help them get a good drugs education. 4) Know where and how to get help if you or they need it. 5) Become active in your local community and set up discussion forums. 6) Talk to other parents. 7) Utilise your faith places in order to raise more awareness. 8) Information…information…information…about drugs and education…education…education. 

* * * * * * *