Injectable Drug Abuse and its Effects on Household Economy

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Rationale: Like all other developing countries, drug addiction is a rising social and economic problem in Bangladesh. As estimated, there are about 2 million drug abusers in the country and half of them lives in the capital city Dhaka. Abject poverty and loss of property are prevalent among the drug abusers. Criminal offences and road traffic accidents occurred due to drug abuse. Among the drug abusers, injectable drug users (IDUs) are at high risk of having HIV AIDS and other STDs. There are 25,000 IDUs in Bangladesh. As drug addition always affects on income and working hours, it was important to see the effect of drug abuse on household economy. Objectives: The study aims to compare household economic status before and after the injectable drug abuse, the cost of drugs and how it affects on household economy and impoverishes the family. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in 10 spots of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. Only the principal earner drug users were included in the sample. Respondents were selected mainly by means of purposive sampling method and they were reached throw snowball technique. Most interviews were carried out in drug spots, parks, tea shops, verandas and street corners. Findings: A total of 104 IDUs were included in the sample. All of them were principal earners of the family. Majority of them (55%) used drug more than 3 years and 45% used drugs for less than 3 years. Nearly 80% (n=83) of them were between 26 to 40 years which is the most economically productive age. Before addiction, 27% of the IDUs were service holders, whereas after addiction only 2% of IDUs were service holders. There was a significant increase in pickpockets, street pickers and thief after drug addiction. Also there was a seven fold increases in unemployment (1% Vs 7%). Nearly 9% of the IDUs became commercial sex workers (CSWs). 43% (n=45) of them reduced essential consumptions to meet up the cost of drugs. Food consumption pattern of household was also severely affected by drug addiction. Total consumption of household has been decreased during the drug addiction. Conclusions: In most of the cases income reduces and health expenditure increases substantially. In most of the cases IDUs sell property and household belongings. Thus, injecting drug use leads to a huge economic burden which ultimately drives the users to poverty.