Meth Research -Synod Social Front, 2015

Amphetaminetypestimulant(ATS)useinMizoramAnexploratoryStudy

Background

Mizoram Presbyterian Church, Synod Social Front has a cell on HIV AIDS & Drugs which
resolvedinitsmeeting6:III3(June24,2014)toconductastudyonATSMethamphetamine(Meth)
considering the illicit trafficking of Meth and its precussor chemicals as well as the harmful
consequences that could happen if it is not tackled at the initial stage. Subsequently, the Synod
SocialFrontOfficehasformedaResearchCoreTeamcomprisingofthefollowingmembers:

o UpaH.Lalhmingmawia,Convener
o Dr.R.L.Sanghluna
o Dr.LalchhanhimaRalte
o Dr.MalsawmtluangiRalte
o UpaPeterZohmingthanga
o Mr.RobertLalrempuiaKhiangte
o Mr.AlanLalmuanpuia
o Dr.SamuelLalzarlawmaSailo
o Mr.AndrewVarte

The Research Core Team members are very busy in their own lines of work; nonetheless,
the Synod Social front entrusted them to carry out this research. The research investigation
involvesconductinganinterviewwiththeusers,disclosingpersonalrisksandbehaviourisrather
uncomfortable;howeverthededicationandrelentlesseffortsoftheCoreTeammadethisstudya
success.

The Synod Social Front acknowledges and thanks the Research Core Team profusely. The
findingsofthisresearchwillbeusedbytheSynodSocialFrontforbringingaboutawarenessamong
theChurchandthepeopleofMizoramasdeemednecessary.

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Objectives
Thestudywasconductedwiththefollowingobjectives:
TodeterminethemagnitudeandpatternofATSuseinMizoram
TounderstandandexplorethefactorsassociatedwiththeuseofATS
ToassesstheadverseconsequencesrelatedtotheuseofATS
Toexploreeffectivepreventivemeasures
TosuggesttheroleofChurchincombatingthemenaceofATS

Methodology
TheMethodologyincludesthefollowing:

Survey questionnaire based interviews with people who had ever used ATS to elicit
demographics, ATS use pattern, dependence on ATS, adverse health consequences, other
consequences faced due to ATS use and help seeking behaviour among ATS users from
selectedsites(AnnexureI)
Indepth interviews of key informants and stakeholders, Focus Group Discussions (FGD)
exploringdemographics,historyofATSuseandharmfuleffectsofATSuse(AnnexureII)
Casestudiesanddiscussions

ThisstudyhasadoptedexploratorydesignanditisbasedonQualitativemethodtoagreatextent.
Sitesanddatacollection
Data was collected from two districts of Mizoram, Aizawl and Champhai districts were selected.
Three Research Investigators have visited Champhai district for onsite collection of data and 42
persons were contacted in Champhai district which include 2 ATS users; 12 persons Church
leaders,ChristianYouthFellowshipleaders,YMAleaders,ProfessorsandNGOsworkinginthefield
of drugs; 12 Drug users from different localities of Champhai and inmates of two rehabilitation
centres, Dropin Centres and District Jail; 9 persons from Excise & Narcotic Department and 7
personsfromPoliceDepartment.
InAizawldistrict,theInvestigatorshaveinterviewed3maleMethusersand3femalesexworkers
who have experimented Meth. FGD was organized with 13 persons from Mizoram Drug Users
Forum (MDUF), Society for Community Care (MSACS FIDU Project) and FINGODAP separately as
wellaswithPoliceDepartmentandExcise&NarcoticsDepartment.
TheResearchwasconductedduringNovember2014April2015.

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Findingsfromthestudy
NumberofATSusersinterviewed

MeanageofATSusers

30yrs,

Range

2138yrs

MaleFemale

5Male,3Female

Educationalbackground

3Matriculate,5underMatric

Profession

Jobless1
FSW3
Armypensioner1
Transporter1
NGOWorker1
Student1

Drugusehistory
Tobacco

7(87.5%)

Alcohol

8(100%)

Ganja

4(50%)

OtherPharmaceuticaldrugs

5(62.5%)

Meanageofstartingdrugs

16yrs

Range

1228yrs

MeanageofstartingATS

28yrs

Range

1936yrs

No.offriendswhouseATS
:
All the respondents have other friends who have use
ATS,thesumtotalamountsto44persons,assumingthatthesepersonsaredifferentindividuals,
there are 52 Meth users including the respondents. Out of the 8 respondents, 2 of them are
addictedtoATSandtheyhaveusedATSformorethantwoyears.
Dotheymixwithotherdrugs?

Notmuch

WhatATSdotheyuse?

Methamphetaminetablets

Howdotheyuse?

:
Theysmoked.Mostofthemusehookahforsmoking,
someofthemmadetheirownapparatus,smokedasciggreteandevenswallowedthepills.

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40
35
30
25
20
15
Current

10

ATSuse

5
0

Druguse
M1

M2

M3

M4

M5

F1

F2

F3

Current

34

30

38

21

35

28

28

27

ATSuse

31

28

36

19

32

27

25

26

Druguse

15

20

28

13

14

15

12

17

Fig1 8MethUsersandtheirages

ReasonsforATSuse
Curiosity

PeerPressure

Substitution

NumberofATSdependent

ThenotionofbecomingaddictedtoATSfromthefirstusewasfoundtobeincorrect.Outofthe8
respondents,75%haveexperimentedmeth,buttheycouldstopusingitbeforereachingthestage
ofdependency.DependencycriteriaWHOICD10isgiveninAnnexureIII.
Otherhealthrelatedissues
Physical
Theusersdidnotfeelhunger,sleepiness,tiredness,exhaustionforsometimewhiletheyareunder
the influence of Methamphetamine. They have experienced fatigue, loss of appetite and
sleeplessnesslater.Theycannotcontrolthemselves;theyevenswayedtheirwholebodywithout
evenknowingwhattheyaredoing.Theybecameagitatedandcouldnotrestevenwhentheywant
torelax.Whentheycouldfinallygotosleep,theyoftenwokeupstartled.Eatinghabithasgone
haywireandtheirwholelifestylebecameupsidedown.
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Mental
While they are intoxicated with Methamphetamine, they have a sort of confidence, unlike other
drugs;theyseemtobethinkingwithclearminds,someofthembecameagitated.Someofthem
actsmartandbecomeflirtatious;someofthemexperiencedadesiretohavesexualactivitywhile
somedonotfeelsuchdesires.Everythingseemseasyatfirstbuttheybecamedisoriented,some
of them even lost consciousness, unable to keep tract of time or what was happening in their
surroundings.
AnalysisfromMizoramPoliceandExcise&NarcoticsDepartment
ThefollowingtablesandfiguresshowtheillicittraffickingofMethamphetamineanditsprecussor
chemicalsPseudoephedrineinMizoram.
Table1:SeizurelistofMethamphetamine,EphedrineandPseudoephedrinebyMizoram

Sl.
No
1

Nameofchemical
Ephedrine

2010

2011

6.6kgs

4kgs
700g

Pseudoephedrine

Methamphetamine

2012

2013

2014

2015

1.550kgs

873.3kgs
1440
strips
15.6kgs
41000
tabs

36kgs

75,75,730 3243.195
tabs
kgs

180gms
9326tabs

*Itisestimatedthatthereare8,500tabletsin1kgofPseudoephedrine.

Table2:SeizurelistofPseudoephedrinebyExcise&NarcoticsDepartmentason15.3.2015
Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
TOTAL

Pseudoephedrinetablets Caseregistered
8,450,130
4
32,307,416
15
19,112,086
19
2,395,790
5
422,890
1
62,688,312
44

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Noofpersons
9
30
30
12
2
83

No.ofvehicle
1
4
6
3
1
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SeisureofPseudoephedrinetablets
2014 2015
4% 1%
2011
13%
2013
30%

2012
52%

Fig2:SeisureofPseudoephedrinebyExcise&NarcoticsDepartmentason15.32015

35
30
25
20

Caseregistered
No.ofperson

15

No.ofvehicle

10
5
0
2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Fig3:SeizureofPseudoephedrineanditsrelatedcasebyExcise&NarcoticsDepartment(ason
15.3.2015)

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Table3:SeizureofMethamphitaminebyExcise&NarcoticsDepartment
Year
2001
2002
2011
2013
2014

Aizawl
Champhai
Total
670
0
670
971
0
971
287
0
287
9
607
616
15000
0
63000
10000
38000
Total
65544
Thereisnocaseinotherdistrictssofar

MethusepatterninMizoram
MethusersinMizoramcouldbebroadlycategorizedintothreegroups:
1. Thosewhofollowedthetraditionalpatternofdrugabuse,startingfromthegatewaydrugs
in the 1st level as shown below to the nest levels then got into Meth use, who are not
satisfiedwithmethalone,switchbetweenMethandOpiodsalternativelyorusebothdrugs
together.
2. Therearethosewhofollowedtheuseofgatewaydrugstillthe2ndlevelanduseMeth.
3. Someusershavejumpedfromthe1stlevelofusingsoftdrugtoMethuse.
Figure4MethusepatterninMizoram

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CaseStudiesanddiscussions
CaseStudy1
MyparentsgotdivorcedwhileIwasasmallboy;mymaternalgrandfatheraskedmymothertolive
withthem,toextendsupportbecauseoftheeconomiccrisisfacedbythefamily,myfathercould
notagree,theygotseparatedandtheybothgotmarrieddifferentpartners.MystepfatherandI
didntgetalongtoowellrightfromthestart,hesimplecouldntstandmeandhealwaysbecame
violent towards my mother because of his jealousy towards me. I started looking for comfort
outsidethehouseduetotheunhealthyenvironmentathomeandthathadledmetosubstance
abuse.
I started using tobacco at a very young age, when I had attained the age of 14; I started using
strongerdrugsDendrite,Alcohol,GanjaandInjectionofSpasmoProxyvon,andwhenIbecame17
years of age, I was already addicted to Heroin and Brown Sugar. Substance abuse has several
physical and mental impacts to my health. I got married, have one daughter but our marriage
didntlast.IwasfeelingverydepressedmostofthetimeespeciallyafterIwasinfectedwithHIV,
myfuturebecameverybleakandmyheartweptduetothesorrowofmylife,Ibecameindifferent
and my involvement in the society and my family has been reduced drastically. I was unable to
reachmydreamsandambitions;instead,IhadtoinvolemyselfinillegalactivitieswhichIwould
neverconsidereddoingitinallmylife.
I was striving and struggling alone, I had joined treatment programmes many times at different
rehabilitation centres and I had often tried to change my behaviour. I could not complete the
treatment programmes and leave the centres several times and there are times when I had
completed the full course, but I could never reach the stage of whole person recovery. I always
hadselfpityandIthoughtlifewasbeingunfairtome.Ifumbledandrelapsedevenafterbeingon
arecoveryjourneyforquiteawhile.
I had lived with my mother for sometime then I went to stay at my brothers house. When I
became 31 years of age, I started using Methamphetamine. One day, I went to the Myanmar
borderwithonefriendandmyfriendwassmokingMeth.HeaskedmeifIwantedtotryandIhad
astrongdesiretoexperimentwhatitwaslike.Iusedmethforthefirsttimethatday;Icontinued
using it and became addicted to it. I used meth based on its availability and the availability of
money.ThisparticulardruggavemecertainlevelofconfidencebuttheotherconsequencesIhad
facedarereallyhorrible.Ithadchangedmypersonality,Ibecamerestless,andIhadsometimes
swayedmywholebody.Afterusingmethformorethanayear,IwenttoaplacewhereIdidnt
knowwheretogetmethfrom, Ihadsufferedmanyseverewithdrawalsymptomps. Ilookedfor
No.4,butIfoundoutwheretogetMeth,thenIhadcontinuedusingMeth.Isuddenlyhadtostop
usingMethbecauseofsomeillhealthproblems.Ilostmymindtotally,Ihadexperiencedsudden
joltevenwhilesleepingandIhadlostconsciousness.IhadcompletelylostallsenseoftimeandI
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didntknowwhatwasgoingon,IdidntevenknowforhowlongIwaslikethat.Mybrotherandhis
wifetookcareofmeandIhadslowlyregainedconsciousnessandbecamebettermuchlater.Meth
isthemostaddictivesubstanceinmyopinion.
BeinganHIVpositive,IhavebeentreatedingraceHome,theywerelookingaftermesogoodthatI
hadevenstartedlookingforwardtolivemylifemorepositively,ButIdontknowwhatwillhappen
tomeorhowwillIgoaboutlivingmylife.However,Idontwantanyonetofollowthedreadful
roadthatIhadtaken,ortoexperiencewhatIhavegonethrough.
Lessonslearnt:
Thiscasestudyrevealsbrokenhomeandoccurrenceofviolenceinthehomefronthavea
direct impact on the mental health and the vulnerability of children growing up where
substanceabuseisprevalent.
Possibilityofearlyonsetofsubstanceuseanditsconsequencesaffectingeveryaspectofa
personslifeisobserved
Wehaveseenthetraditionalpatternofsubstanceuse
SociallyacceptedoraldrugsTobacco,Paan,Gutkha
Socially unaccepted oral drugs Alcohol, Pharmaceutical drugs, Ganja, Volatile
solvents
InjectingdruguseHeroin,SpasmoProxyvon,Parvonspas
Variousharmfulimpactsofdrugusehavebeenclearlyvisible
PhysicalVariousphysicalproblemsincludingHIVinfection
MentalLoneliness,selfpity,denial,lowselfesteemanddepression
FamilyBrokenfamily,separationfromwifeandchild
EconomicEconomicactivityandeducationsuffered,unabletopursueambition
LegalEngagedinmanyillegalactivititeswhichhaveneverbeenanticipated
Awarenessaboutspiritualneedisfelt
Willinglyapproachedtreatmentcentreonhisown,availabilityofsuchtreatmentcentreisa
fortunatething
Behaviourchangeisalongprocessandrelapsehappensontheroadtorecovery
Curiositytoexperimentdrugscouldleadtoaddictionandpeerpressureisonepredominant
factor for substance use. The importance of choosing carefully the kind of company to
minglewithisrealized
Availabilityofsubstanceswhileapersonisgoingthroughthedesiretoexperimentdrugsis
mostunfortunate
The harmful effects of methamphetamine delirium, sudden impulsive shock while
sleeping,swayingofwholebodyandsleeplessnesswereobserved
The importance of his brothers family who stood by him even when he is going through
severewithdrawalsisnoted
Afterhavingabuseddifferentkindsofsubstances,Methismostaddictive
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Gapinsocialreintegrationisseen.ItisimportanttorealizetheroleofChurchforaperson
likehimintermsofcareandsupport
Inordertohavewholepersonrecovery,itisessentialtohaveeconomicrehabilitationfora
personwhohasgivenupformalstudiesduetodruguse
It is a good thing for the Church to have Grace Home, a place where HIV patients could
accessmedicaltreatmentswithouthavingfearofstigmaanddiscrimination

Casestudy2
Iamabusinessmanof 30yearsold,divorced andremarried.Iamdealingwithtransportationof
goodsthatinvolveslatenightshifts.Ihadbeenusingmethfortwoyears.Initiallywehaveused
methtogetherwithmyfriendstokeepusawakeduringworklateinthenight,butwegotaddicted
toitastimepassed.Ihaveneverusedanytypesofotherdrugs.
Inourvillage,methiseasilyavailable,onetabletgenerallycostRs.100/.Butthepedlarsarevery
cautiousasthepenaltyisquitesevere.Westartedusingonetabletperday,butthatisnotenough
afterawhile.
Thisparticulardrugenablesustokeepawakeforalongtime,itgaveusconfidence,weneveract
foolishlyasotherdrugusersdo.Wedressnicely;webecamesmarterandevenflirtatious.Ieven
becamesexuallymoreactivethanbefore.Idonteatmuch,butIatemorejunkfoodsandsweets.
Methuseismoreexpensivethatheroinafterexcessiveuse.Ibecamehostileandaggressivelater
becauseofmethuse.
Lessonslearnt:
Peerpressurecouldleadapersontoaddictionevenwithouthavingpriorexposuretodrug
use
Peoplewhoengageinlatenightactivitiesaremorepronetomethuse
Effectofmethisnotalwaysthesameindifferentpersons.Inhibitionisusuallysuppressed
andsexualactivityisincreasedforsomepeople.
Eatinghabitisdisrupted,timingandlifestylebecamehaywire.
Toleranceisrapidlyincreasing.
DependencycriteriaICD10isfulfilled.
Hebecamehostileandaggressiveduetomethuse
Methuseisexpensive

Casestudy3
I am a man of 38 years old addicted to No. 4. I was into sports previously and I had many
achievementswhichhadhelpedmesupportmyfamily.ButthenIhadfumbled,thathadledmeto
drinkingalcohol.Atfirst,Igotdrunktoforgetmypains,butitgavememorepains.WhileIwas
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strugglinginthatpatheticcondition,thingsgotprogressedfrombadtoworse.Imetafriendwho
introducedmetoNo.4.Initially,IhadforgottenallmypainsandsufferingswhenIusedNo.4,butI
becameaddictedtoit.IdidnthavethegutstofacemyproblemsandIfoundmyselfwithbigger
problems.BecauseofNo.4,Ihadsufferedalot,physically,mentally,spiritually,inmyfamilyand
inthesociety.Ihitrockbottomwithnoselfworth.Itriedtogiveupdruguseseveraltimes,butto
noavail.ThenawomancametomewithamedicinethatcouldhelpmegiveupNo.4.Iboughtitat
Rs.200/atabletandIchasedit.ItseemedtobeworkingatfirstbutIdidntexperiencetherushI
gotfromno.4andIwentbacktoNo.4.Ididntknowthatitwasmethinthebeginning,whenI
realized it was meth; I didnt want to use it again. The effects of meth and No. 4 are entirely
different;IdontthinkmethissuitabletosubstituteNo.4.
Iusedtochaseonetabletofmeththreetimesaday,butitdidntfullymanagedNo.4withdrawals.
Thepedlarsareoperatingdiscreetly.ButIcametolearnthemeansofgettingitfromothervillage
soonenough.
Istartedhavinginsomniaastheeffectofmethlastedabout24hoursinmycase.Idarednotuse
againafterlearningthatitwasmeth.Strangely,thepedlarsfromMyanmarseldomusethedrugs
theywereselling.
IhavesufferedthephysicalandpsychologicalimpactofNo4,Icouldnotthinkstraight.Whereas,
harmfuleffectsofmethmaynotbeseenimmediately,thelongtermimpactisverysevere;Iwant
theMizoyouthnevertotryitout.AllthegoodimagesIhadbuiltformyselfthroughsportshad
beenshatteredbecauseofdruguse.Fortunately,bythegraceofGod,Istartedlivinganewlife;I
hadcommittedmylifetoHimtotally.Idontwanttocallmyselfanaddictanymore;IevenforgotI
wasanactualaddictattimes.
Lessonslearnt:
Addictioncanhappentomaturedpersontoo.
Addictioncoulddestroythewholecareerofaperson
Misconception is very harmful; he started using meth thinking that it could help him get
overwithNo.4use.
Makingimpulsivedecisioncouldhaveanegativesevereimpact,whichaffectsthepersonin
everyaspectofhislife.
Meth is not usually preferred by those who got addicted previously to Heroin and other
opioids.

Casestudy4
Iamanorphan,27yearsoldyoungwomanlivingwithmygrandpa.IhavestudieduptoclassIX.I
alwaysfeltlonelyandIwassearchingforsomethingthatwillquenchmythirst.Istarteddrinkingat
the age of 17. Then I started using other drugs too, sniffing dendrite and injection of Spasmo
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Proxyvon, Parvon Spas and No. 4; and I became an addict in no time. My demand for drug
increasesanditinvolvesmoreandmoremoneydaybyday.Istartedindulginginsexualactivities
andbecameafemalesexworker.
One day, while I was living my live using different kinds of drugs and having different sexual
partners,oneclienttookmetoafarmhouse,wehadsexualactivitiesallnightlongandusedone
typeofdrugwhichIhadneverusedbefore.Ihavenotfelttiredorsleepythatnight.Theeffect
lastedforthreewholedays,Icouldnotsleep,Ihadremainedactivebutithadmademeweakand
lethargicafterthis.Ilatercametorealizethatthedrugwehadusedthatnightwasmeth,Iwasso
scaredwhenIrealizedthisandIpromisedmyselfnevertousemethagainafterexperiencingthe
restlessness and its other dreadful effects. One single use of meth proved to be harmful as
comparedtoothersubstances,itisbettertokeepawayfromitrightfromthestart.
Lessonslearnt:

Thefeelingofloneliness,despairanddepressionduetodeathandfamilycrisisisseen
Thesearchforquenchingthirsttofilluptheemptinessleadstothedesiretoexperiment
drug
Curiosityledtoaddiction
Addictioninvolvescommercialsexwork
Druguseandcommercialsexworkmadehervulnerabletomethuse
Usingmethevenjustforoncehadtremendousphysicaleffects

Casestudy5
I am a female sex worker and addicted to No. 4. I had once experimented meth with two other
friends.IsmokedthreetabletsthattimeanditcostsRs.200/pertablet.Ihadneverusedmeth
since then. I stayed awake for three whole days because of meth. I could not sleep at night;
insteadofenjoyingitseffectitwasaterribleexperience.Myfriendsdidntseemtomindusingit
again, but I was not aware if they have done it again. We had used meth just out of sheer
curiosity,wehadntengagedinsexualactivity.
Lessonslearnt:

Thereisadesiretoexperimentotherdrugsevenforanaddict
Mostmethuserswereusinginagroup
Metheffectisnotalwaysthesametodifferentindividuals
Methisnotgenerallythechoiceofdrugsforpeoplewhoarealreadyaddictedtoother
typesofdrugs

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The identities of these individuals are kept confidential; after getting their consent and without
disclosingtheiridentity,theirexperienceshavebeensharedwiththeexpectationthatitmightbe
useful.
FocusGroupDiscussionwithKeySatkeholders,Champhai
16.2.2015,7:30PM

Champhai is considered to be a high risk area being in an international border, the main
trafficking route for drugs and its precursor chemicals, but meth use is not known to be
rampant.
ItisevidentthattheprecursorchemicalshavebeentraffickeduptoMyanmar,butthereis
littleevidencetoprovethatitcamebackasMeth.
TheMizosfromMyanmarwarnedusaboutthemenaceofmethandtotakeprecautions.
Therearesomepeoplewhoaresuspectedtohaveusedmeth,butthereisnoevidence.
Itisbelievedthatthesupplyofmethisavailablealongtheborderifthereisdemand.

Suggestions:
PreventionfromMethuseanditsdreadfuleffectsistheneedofthehour
Weneedtohaveplentyofawarenessandpreventivemeasurestactfully
ItisdesireabletohaveacoreteamwhichwilltracebackthetrailsofmethfromTahan
AwarenesstobeconductedinschoolsandSundayschools
TodevelopeffectiveandreliableIECmaterialsonmethamphetamine
Toclarifythetargetpopulationformethamphetamine(IDUcommunitiesarenotlikelythe
primarytarget)

FGDwithPoliceandExcise&NarcoticsDepartments,Champhai:17&18February2015
TherumoraboutmethdistributioninChamphaiwasprovedwrong
Thereareotherdruguserswhodarenotusemeth
ThereisnomethrelatedcaseinChamphairegisteredbythepolicesofar
Meth trafficking is mainly through Manipur and Myanmar, demand seems to be low in
Mizoram
Therearesomebrutalcasessuspectedtobemethrelated,butthereisnoforensicevidence
More drug users are found where total prohibition is strictly implemented (Khawzawl,
Kawlkulh,Ngopaetc.)

Suggestions:
IncreasedpublicsupportisthefeltneedfromtheLawenforcementagengiesinthefight
againstdruganditsillicittrafficking
Itisessentialtoadvocateandeducatetheyouthnevertotrymeth
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FGDwithMizoramDrugUsersForum(MDUF)22.3.2015
1. Agroupof69youngmenandwomenagedbetween1721yearsareknowntousemeth
togetherasagroupin2014andtheyusedmethagainoncethisyear.
2. TheyareawareoftwomethuserswhoarealsopeddlarsfromManipur.
3. MostMizodrugusersdontlikemeth,manyhavetriedandexperimentedmeth,butthey
dontseemtoenjoyit.Thosewhohaveusedareusingitjustoutofcuriosity;mostofthem
arenotreallyaddictedtoit.
4. Existingpreventivemeasuresisquitesuficient(MediaawarenessandMSD&RBPamphlets).
General Awareness and Drug Prevention may be emphasized, without specific focus to
meth.TheChurchmaytakestepstocoordinatewithDrugControllersinscreeningofdrug
licensesandtraffickingofPseudoephedrine.
5. The level of addiction varies depending upon the quantity of drug used. Drug users got
addicted to the atmosphere, the practices and the rituals besides the drug itself. It is
important to realize the psychological dependency and make relevant preofessional
intervention.
FGDwithFINGODAP&SocietyforCommunityCare(FIDUTIProjectunderMSACS)
1. OnlyonereportedcaseofmethuseamongregisteredFIDUclients.Sheusedmethorally;
shedidntenjoyit,shehadgonecrazyandshewouldntwanttodoitagain.
2. They dont know many meth users in Aizawl, Trafficking of the precursor chemical is
evident,butmethreturniscomparativelylow.
3. FIDU clients didnt prefer meth due to fear psychosis. There are no meth users in
deaddictioncentressofar.
4. TheyenquiredaboutmethusehistorytoallFIDuclients;itisnottheirchoiceofdrug.
5. AwarenessandinterventionaboutMethusehastobecarriedouteffectivelystressingon
theharmfulconsequencesbyprofessionaltrainers.
6. Theyhavenocommentontherelationshipbetweenmethuseandsexualactivity.

Quotablequotes
SomepeoplemadelargequantitiesofeasymoneybyinvolvingintraffickingofPseudoephedrine,
and because of that we are apprehensive about spending our hard earned money for buying
luxuriousgoodsAmanfromChamphai
Mizofolksaremoreinvovedintomakingmoneyinthetraffickingofitsprecursorchemicalsthan
methitselfPoliceOfficer

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Iamahardcoreheroinaddict,IvebeeninandoutofjailbutIhavenevertriedmeth.Ihaveseen
my cellmate using meth. For Heroin addict, meth use is useless; it didnt manage heroin
withdrawals and suffers, they only ended up addicting two chemicals. Normally they go back to
heroin use. If there are meth peddlars in our locality, Im sure I would be one of the first to be
approachedandiftherearemethaddictsinChamphai,Iwouldbeoneofthefirsttoknowthem
HeroinAddict,Champhai
TheytalksoDENaboutmeth,IdarenottryitoutHeroinAddict,Champhai

IfIhadasample,Iwouldntmindtryingout,butIdontknowwheretobuymethinChamphai
HeroinAddict,Champhai

Idontwanttousemeth.PeoplegrewoldatyoungageandtheeffectisnotthatgreatFIDU
Client
VI

CONCLUSIONSANDSUGGESTIONS

VI.I Conclusions

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

MagnitudeandpatternofATSuseinMizoram
TherearequiteafewATSusersasperthisresearchduringthestudyperiod.
TherearenomethusersinthetreatmentcentreslehHomes
BusinessoftraffickingprecursorchemicalsforATShasincreases,butthatdoesnotsignify
methuseinMizoram.
Among meth users, there are some people who had never used any other drugs whreas
someofthemareaddictedtoopioiddrugspreviously.
ThereislimitedsuppleofMeth,theusersgenerallydiscontinuedduetoitshighpriceand
theeuphoriceffectisnotasexpected.
ThoughthespplyofmethisnoteasilyavailableinbothAizawlandChamphaidistricts,the
methuserscouldgetitssupplytosatisfytheirneeds.
One reason that prevents people from using meth is fear factor (from awareness) and
unavailabilityofitssampletoexperiment.
Itwasbelievedthatpeopleusedmethtoperfommoretasks,butnomethusershavebeen
identifiedamongdailylabourer
There are some people with no history of drug use, who used meth directly without
following the traditional patterns of gateway drugs (tobaco= alcohol= ganja= pills=
heroin).

TounderstandandexplorethefactorsassociatedwiththeuseofATS
ATSusers
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1. Methisusedbypeoplewithnohistoryofdruguse,withtheexpectationtoincreasetheir
capacity.
2. Methisalsousedbydruguserstoincreasepleasure.
3. Therearehardcoreopioidaddicwhohadexperimentedmeth.
4. Womenindistress,whohaveenteredcommercialsexworkhaveclientswhointroduced
methtothem
5. We have seen meth in Mizoram recently; the age of initiation for meth is much later as
compared to other drugs. Among the 8 cases observed, there are 3 female, their age
averageis28years,andtherangeoftheirageis1936.Meanwhiletheageofinitiationfor
any drug is 16 years with a range of 1228. Among these 8 people, 3 of them are
matriculateandtheresthavedroppedoutbeforethat.Noneofthemhaveregularjob,one
manisdoingnothing,therestofthe4menengagedinmanuallabourwork.3femaleusers
areengagedinsmalltimebusinessaswellascommercialsexworktosupportthemselves.
6. Allthe8methusershaveexperiencedalcoholpriortomethuse,mostofthem areusing
tobacco,andhalfofthemhaveabusedganja,pharmaceuticaldrugs,coughsyrupandother
pills.

Reasonformethuse
1. Curiosity
2. Peerpressure
3. Substitution
4. Toincreasecapacity
5. Forpleasure

AdverseconsequencesrelatedtotheuseofATS:
ThosewhohaveexperimentedMethstoppedusingitbecauseofthelethargiceffectfromusingit,
thosewhohaveusedrepeatedlyandaredependenttoitconsidereditasthemostaddictivedrug.

MethhasdevastatingphysicalandmentaleffectsbuttheChurch,thecommunityandthefamily
couldextendsupportthatcouldhelptheuserstofacetheirproblemsandchangetheirbehavior
effectively.

VI.II Suggestions
EffectivepreventivemeasuresTheresearchsuggeststhefollowingpoints:
1. ToliaisonwithvariousGovernmentDepartmentsandOrganizationsinthecombatagainst
traffickingofprecursorchemicalspseudoephedrine/ephedrineanditsfinishedproduct.
2. To coordinate with Drug controllers in screening of drug license to control trafficking of
pseudoephedrinemoreeffectively.
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3. Drugusersgotaddictedtotheatmosphere,thepracticesandtheritualsbesidesthedrug
itself. It is important to realize the psychological dependency and make relevant
professionalintervention.
4. ItisdesirabletoformaVigilanceCommitteetooverseetheproblemsrelatedtoATSfrom
timetotime.
5. Todevelopeffectivemessagestobegiventoparentsandchildrenappropriatetotheirages

TheroleofChurchincombatingthemenaceofATSinMizoram
ThestepstakenbytheChurchinraisingawarenessaboutsubstanceabuseanditsrelatedissuedis
foundtobeveryeffective.Thefollowingsuggestionshavebeenlaidouttostrengthentheexisting
interventions:
1. ATSisknowntohavesomeeffectsthatcouldgiveapersonpleasure,confidence,increased
capacity,vigilanceetc.,butthesearenotgenuine.Itwillbeeffectivetoeducatetheyouth
and remind them that God has planted all these and many more things in them, which
couldbeexercised,harnessedandbuiltupsothattheycouldfacemanychallengesoflife
effectively.
2. ItisdesirabletodevelopIECmaterialsonATS,substanceabuseanditsrelatedissuedwhich
arereliableandspecifictothecontextofourcultureandthecurrentscenario.
3. Many studies suggested that vulnerabilities of children to drug use varied, some children
haveriskfactorsandasystematicprogramisrequiredforthemandtheirfamilies.Suchrisk
factorsare:
1. Iftherearedrugusersinthefamily
2. Iftheenvironmentofthefamilyisnotconducive
3. Iftherearedrugusersamongpeers
4. Existenceofmentalhealthproblem
5. Weaknessesandotherillness
6. Easyavailabilityofsubstancesintheneighborhood
4. Identification of role model for the children and youth who abstain from any types of
substancesandusingthemtoadvocatetheadvantagesoflivingadrugfreelife.
5. The Church may establish after care centre for recovering addicts to equip them with
knowledgeandskillsforsustainingtheirrecoveryjourney
6. TheChurchmaystrengthenitscoordinationwiththeexistingprogramsimplementedbythe
Governmentandvariousorganizationsinthisarea.
There may not be tremendous problems because of ATS at present, it is evident that the
precursor chemicals pseudoephedrine have been trafficked in huge quantities through our
state.Itisessentialtostayalertandbereadytotakeimmediatestepsanytimeinthefuture.
LetourChurches,Government,Societyandfamiliesjoinhandstopreventouryouthfromthe
menaceofdrugabuse.
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AnnexureI
MizoramPresbyterianChurch
SynodSocialFront
The image part with relationship ID rId11 was not found in the file.

AIZAWL:MIZORAM
ClientsProfileforAnexplorationstudyUseofATSinMizoram
1. Age(completedyears)

:______________________________

2. EducationalQualification

:______________________________

3. Occupation

:______________________________

4. Denomination

:______________________________

5. FirstsubstanceAbused

:______________________________

6. AgeoffirstsubstanceAbuse

:______________________________

7. Mostpreferredsubstance

:______________________________

8. Gender:
Male

9. MaritalStatus:NeverMarried
10. TypesofSubstanceAbused:
Depressant
Alcohol
Opioids
SedativeHypnotics
Volatilesolvents
Cannabis

Female

CurrentlyMarried
Stimulant
Cocaine
ATS
Tobacco
Cannabis

11. DifferentsubstancesusedpriortoATS:
12. ModeofSubstanceUse:
Oral
Injection
Others
13. DifferentsubstancesusedpriortoATS:
14. ModeofSubstanceUse:
Oral
Injection
Others

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TG

Divorced

Widow/Widower

Hallucinogen
LSD
Cannabis

Meth Research -Synod Social Front, 2015

15. MainreasonforSubstanceAbuseforthefirsttime(Tickanyone):
Tofeelrelaxed
Toforgetproblems
Tocopewithstress
Becausethewholefamilyisdrugaddicted
Peerpressure
Becauseofbeingadventurousandcurious
Toovercomeshyness,angeretc.
Problemsathome
Problemsinrelationships
Problemsinschoolorworkingplaces
Others,Specify____________________________

16. ExistingFamilySupportStructure:
17. FamilyinvolvementintheChurch/society:
18. ATSfirsthandinformation(Hows/hecometoknowaboutATS):
19. AgeofclientwhenusedATSforthefirsttime:
20. ReasonforusingATS:
21. Hass/heevermixesATSwithanyotherdrug?Ifyes,what:
22. HowmanyotherATSusersdoess/heknow:
23. Whereandwhendoess/heuseATS:
24. UnderstandingaboutATSasexperiencedbytheclient:
a. TypesofATSknown
:
b. AvailabilityinMizoram
:
c. Traffickingroute/source
:
d. Pricerange(differenttypes) :
e. Frequencyofuse
:
f. Amountused
:
g. Purposeofuse
:
h. EuphoriceffectsofATS
:
i. HarmfuleffectsofATS
:
j. WithdrawalsofATS
:
25. NarrativeCaseHistoryoftheperson:(Hows/hegotintodruguse,periodofdruguse,physicaland
psychologicalimpact,mentalaspect,howhavethesebeenmanaged,issuesofrehabilitation,how
hass/hebeenstrugglingtogiveupdruguse,reintegrationandchancesofrelapse)

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Meth Research -Synod Social Front, 2015

AnnexureII
FGDGuidewithStakeholders
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

WhatisthemagnitudeofMeth/ATSuseinMizoram?
Areyouawareofanysupply/traffickingroute/Productionunit?
WhatcanyoutellusaboutMethdemandinMizoram?
Howtotakepreventivemeaseures?Isthereanystepstakensofar?
WhatistheroleofChurchregardingAwarenessandPrevention?
AnysuggestionforTreatmentandRehabilitation?
WhatisthemostcommondrugabusedbytheyouthinMizoram?
Whatotherdrugsareusedbytheyouth?
DoyouknowifthereisanyconnectionbetweenGender,SexualityandATS
AnnexureIII

DependencyCriteria(WHOICD10)
Apersonissubstancedependentifthreeormoreofthefollowingconditionswerepresentinhim
duringthelastoneyear:

1. Tolerance
2. Withdrawal
3. Impairedcontrol
4. Preoccupation
5. Continuedusedespiteharm
6. Craving

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Meth Research -Synod Social Front, 2015

AnnexureIV
Abbreviations
ATS
DIC
FGD
FIDU
FINGODAP
FSW
HIV
ICD
IDU
IEC
KTP
MDUF
MSACS
MSD&RB
NGO
TI

WHO
YMA

21|P a g e

:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:

AmphetamineTypeStimulant
DropinCentre
FocusGroupDiscussion
FemaleInjectingDrugUser
FederationofIndianNGOsonDrugAbusePrevention
FemaleSexWorker(KS)
HumanImmunoDefeciencyVirus
InternationalClasificationofDiseases
InjectingDrugUser
Information,Education&Communication
KristianThalaiPawl
MizoramDrugUsersForum
MizoramStateAIDSControlSociety
MizoramSocialDefence&RehabilitationBoard
NonGovermentalOrganization
TargettedIntervention
WorldHealthOrganization
YoungMizoAssociation