The question essentially is existential. The law, morality, do not intrude in the analysis, as they invariably change with what exists.
The question is, “Is some intoxication or another inherently necessary for the human mind? Has recorded history not shown some substance or the another consumed by humanity on a regular basis even during religious celebrations sometimes even as a norm a norm?”
Much before you come across stories of the Scotsman wait twelve years to savour and serve his scotch (anything brewed elsewhere neither is, nor can be called scotch), or the Frenchman nurture his grapevine and ferment and filter his grapes to finality of his much-favoured wine, there were side by side other named, un-named addictives too. Sir Walter Raleigh, and Elizabeth I, in 1600 introduced tobacco to England and Europe, and no reform or sermon from the Church could shoo it back.
Much before, in prehistoric times, Vedic times, Charak, the ancient Indian pharmacist, discovered the pain-relieving effects of opium, along with cannabis, bhang, ganja, more or less belonging to the same family of herbs, but differently concocted, that gave some stability to the human mind.
The initial use was medicinal. I believe, therapeutic amounts of cannabis, opium, as the ancient physicians knew, could settle pain, give solace to pacify neurosis, psychosis, depression, enhance meditation. The folklore and scientific documentation of “Soma Rus” is tremendous. Was it a single herb? drink? but was popular for giving a certain placidity. The first mention comes in the Rigveda. But there are versions in Sanskrit verse, describing the effects leading to a state of “immortality” which, with apologies to what is considered sacred by many, could be its psychedelic effects, since there was no formulary, and the doses are not described.
The Russians (I only trust Mr Putin), first came across earthen pots among the Zoroastrian communities, where they found burnt seeds of what may have been brewed. That three different molecules of ephedrine were traced is recorded, but no-one knows the seeds (trust the Russians, it’s a proverb). That concoction “Hoama”, was a preferred drink, even supplied or a while, to Zoroastrians settled in India.
The theme of the human race perpetually in search of a psychological prop, possibly an intoxicant, inebriant, invariably habit forming, continues.
Today’s favourite, legalised in many States of the US, European countries, is Marijuana. It’s also called “weed”, as I learnt from a young enthusiastic student. I confirmed it is the same that young guys are seen rolling up in the paper and smoking as cigarettes. Not yet legalized in India, but more or less running on the famous Clinton words, “Don’t ask, don’t answer”. Before I could say anything, he said he was fine with it, and studies went on well.
A doctor has to show enough empathy and keep confidentiality. But just as one thinks why another dengue epidemic, the thought process is not on legalities or disclosures, it is why Marijuana is so popular now, like alcohol and tobacco were at the top of the rack decades ago? Given a choice, why would a particular young man choose a marijuana cigarette, to his hitherto, irresistible normal tobacco brand?
Is it the emotional void created by the need for economic sustenance, competition, persistent pressures to achieve production as well as economic targets? Does a “Hard day’s night” push the young man to get instant peace, for a good night’s sleep?
In terms of the approved pharma industry products, one has at least fifty brands only in “anti-depressants”, and so many others for anxiety, sleep, paranoia, that establishes the fact that people have brain receptors with variable susceptibilities. I haven’t seen, the particular movie, (as I have not been to a movie hall for the last ten years), but the question to address and explore is why is there an epidemic in Punjab. Couldn’t just be due to availability. Perhaps the receptor urge, the martial temperament kindled the demand.
The other half of the community I belong to (Sikhs), do not smoke but their “capacity” to endure alcohol is legendary!
Another example. You may have hardly seen a drunken, tottering Bengali (except out of ‘Bheeshan Lob”, as Dev Das). The consumption of tobacco, particularly as cigarettes, is perhaps at record levels. The nicotinic receptor perhaps acts as a stimulant to bright minds as a regular lubricating oil to the thinking machinery. It also perhaps has something to do with the necessity of another affair, provided it is sufficiently painful, to perpetually reverberate the heartstrings!
The wave of newer addictions is perhaps reflective of the strife of today’s life. The answers lie with society, parenthood and peer ship. The law punishment to the young user of which there are millions is not an answer.
The need is for social scientists, employers, peers, to make the user comfortable. That is perhaps as far as one can go. Beyond that, the best is to remove the taboo. The lure of doing an illicit practice shall take away half the excitement.
The government may encourage start-ups of on-line hustlers, poker players, chess, quizzes in the 7pm to 9 pm slot, encouraging some games that encourage intellectual exertion, with nominal prizes and certification.
Finally, there should be strategies to slow the urges for harder drugs, for that may be an instant loss to an upcoming generation to shoulder the burdens of what we have a right to laugh euphemistically refer as a “deviloping country”! Though much less devil that most others!
Like AIDs, the only cure for the moment is not to let it happen. Thereafter, social engineering, and not the law may be the first intervention.
Can’t see a time when humans can live without addictions. God wants to retain His supremacy
“Chand kaliyan nishath ki, chunkar mehve-aas rehta hoon.
Tumsey milna Khushi ki baat sahi, tumsey mikey udaas rehta hoon”
(Collecting the flowers of the night of our meeting, I keep on waiting,
To meet you is a relief, but thereafter I continue to be depressed
Dr.Lamba's Awakening Call 