Analysis of Questionnaire based Response of Indian Medical Students about the Distinguishing Features of Relevant Toxic Plants, their Systemic Effects and Legal Provisions Under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1985

Abstract

Introduction: Drug abuse is a great social evil .It affects all aspects of life. Young generation of impressionable age easily falls into the trap and ruin their Physical, mental, social and financial health for rest of their life. To control the situation it is essential to know the level of awareness about toxic plant, their systemic effects and various legal provisions under NDPS Act 1985 so that suitable strategy could be planned to fight Narcotic Drug abuse. Aim: 1. To find out awareness of medical students regarding distinguishing features of relevant toxic plant and their systemic effects 2. To assess their Knowledge about various legal provisions under NDPS Act 1985 .Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted during December 2020 and January 2021 among Phase 3 MBBS students in a Medical college at Barabanki with the objective to evaluate the awareness about identification of plants, their systemic effect and legal provisions under NDPS Act 1985. A total of 163 students 86 male and 77 female participated in the study.Result : 63.8% students were well versed with the legal provisions of NDPS Act 1985. 60 .7% students could recollect and correlate the morphological features of the plants covered under NDPS Act 1985. Knowledge of systemic effects of these toxic plants was not adequate. Conclusion: The knowledge of phase-3 MBBS students about plant identification, their systemic effect and legal provisions under NDPS Act 1985 is Moderate.