admitted to using drugs themselves, in the old and new sections of the slum, respectively. Peer pressure caused 60 percent of substance use in the old part of Seemapuri while in the new part 32 percent was also caused by peer pressure and other factors including family history, curiosity, and accessibility.
The majority of the respondents said they believed that the children who abuse drugs in Seemapuri could be treated. However, they also believed detoxification and inpatient treatment programs were not successful.
The study also indicated that many children who sorted garbage used the money they made on drugs and that most criminal activities were motivated by money for toxic substances.
There is a need for a strategic plan to mitigate the ongoing harms and to improve the lives of the citizens in Seemapuri, the study stated.
Author: Ryan Beitler
An editor and contributor to Addiction Now, Ryan Beitler is a journalist, fiction writer, musician, and travel writer. He has written for Paste Magazine, OC Weekly, numerous addiction recovery publications, and his travel blog Our Little Blue Rock. He lives in Southern California. Contact Ryan at ryanrbeitler@gmail.com or ryanb@addictionnow.com.
