Global Drug Survey Report 2018 21/05/2019 – Posted in: Daily News – Tags: , , ,

GLOBAL DRUG SURVEY REPORT 2018

 

For: Preliminary & Mains
Topic covers: GDS report, Key findings, recommendations

 

News Flash

A global survey of recreational drug-use, which for the first time polled respondents from India, has found that Indians — more than from other nationalities — are seeking help to reduce their alcohol intake.

 

Finding: India

  • Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis were the most common stimulants used by Indians.
  • Indians reported ‘being drunk’ on an average of 41 times in the last 12 months — behind the U.K., the U.S., Canada, Australia and Denmark.
  • Indian respondents to the survey, appeared more eager for help with reducing their alcohol intake.
  • According to the 2019 GDS, 51% of the respondents wanted to ‘drink less’ in the following year and 41% ‘wanted help to do so’ — again the highest percentage among other countries.
  • About 6% of the female Indians surveyed reported seeking ‘emergency medical treatment’ in the last 12 months.
  • The global female average was about 13%.
  • None of the males in India reported seeking medical treatment, compared to the global average of 12%.
  • Indians said they ‘enjoyed being drunk’ on 71% of the occasions — close to the global average of 74%.
  • The Indians surveyed were mostly male and 25-34 years of age. A third of those surveyed “had gone clubbing” at least 4 times in the last year.
  • While 43% of about 250 Indians surveyed reported using cannabis and 44% of them said they sourced it from ‘known dealers’, 21% said they got their fix ‘from friends.’

 

Less Cannabis

  • Only 2% sought emergency medical treatment after using cannabis.
  • 51% said they wanted to use ‘less cannabis’ in the following year.
  • Alcohol and tobacco apart, the most used drugs globally were cannabis, MDMA (or Ecstacy), cocaine, amphetamines, LSD (or ‘acid’), magic mushrooms, benzodiazepines, prescription opioids, ketamine, nitrous oxide.

The survey also found that globally approximately 14% (11,000) reported being taken advantage of sexually while intoxicated in their lifetime and 4% in the last 12 months. There were no figures from India available.

 

Global Drug Survey

  • The Global Drug Survey (GDS) is an anonymised, online survey that uses a detailed questionnaire to assess trends in drug use.
  • The throws light on “stigmatised behaviours and health outcomes of a hidden population that is otherwise difficult to reach and can be used to inform targeted interventions.
  • The survey is not designed to determine the prevalence of drug behaviour in a population.
  • It might genuinely reflect high levels of concern among drinkers of being aware of consuming at levels known to be harmful.

About Global Drug Survey 

  • GDS is an independent research company based in London. It produce reports for global media, public health and corporate organisations.
  • GDS use its data and expertise to create digital health applications delivering screening and brief interventions for drugs and alcohol.
  • GDS also produces a range of drug education materials for health and legal professionals, the entertainment industry and the general public
  • GDS aims to make drug use safer, regardless of the legal status of the drug, by sharing information with individuals, communities, health and policy organisations.
  • Using anonymous online research methods Global Drug Survey runs an annual survey in 10 languages, which is hosted by partners in over 20 countries.

 

Source: The Hindu

 

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