Underlining the Role of Legal Systems, Legal Education and Legal Awareness in Managing Substance Abuse During Covid-19 Pandemic with Special Reference to Alcohol Consumption in India

Abstract

A recently released report titled ‘Magnitude of Substance Use in India 2019’ found that a significant part of India’s population suffers from substance use disorders and are in need of treatment. Dedicated facilities for treatment of these people are inadequate in terms of available resources and necessary infrastructure. Even amongst different types of substances that are widely used and subsequently abused, the prevalence of alcohol is highest. In many Indian states, imposition of liquor prohibition and subsequent illegitimisation of alcohol’s production, sale, consumption, etc. resulted in public health management problems.

These problems received great public attention when the lockdown imposed to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in India resulted in closure of non-essential industries, shops and workplaces. It also led to the imposition of a nationwide prohibition on sale of liquor. Research suggests that during lockdown, people suffering from alcohol abuse disorders had a hard time coping with withdrawal symptoms. The problem was further aggravated by lockdown restrictions and non-availability of treatment facilities.

Delving into the experiences recorded during the lockdown, this research looks at the role that legal systems, legal education and legal awareness can play in risk mitigation and management of substance abuse.