Drug addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by

compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences (National Institute on

Drug Abuse, 2014). Substance abuse had spread epidemically in the beginning of the

21st century (MacNeil, Stewart, & Kaufman, 2000). As per World Drug Report 2017

globally, premature deaths due to drugs are estimated to be 1,90,000 out of which the

majority is attributable to the opioids use. An estimated quarter of a billion people of

the world adult population, used drug a minimum of one time in 2015. Even more

worrisome statistics is that, about 29.5 million of drug users suffer from drug use

disorders and out of this, 70 percent of the diseases were attributable to opioids, thus

causing the highest negative impact on health (United Nations Office on Drugs and

Crime [UNODC], 2017). India ranks third largest producer of synthetic opium after

Pakistan and Burma (Paoli, Greenfield, Charles, & Reuter, 2009). The menace of drug

abuse in Punjab is worse than the rest of the country. The total number of drug users

in Punjab is 2,32,856 out of which, 99% are male (Phukan, 2017). In this regard,

Singh (2010) reported that the opiates consumption in the state of Punjab is thrice as

per national average report. In India there are about two lakh intravenous drug users

(IDUS) out of which Punjab counts 26.1% (National AIDS Control Organisation

[NACO], 2012). Furthermore, there is 200 to 250 billion dollar expenditure in treating

drug abuse (UNODC, 2010).

The review of existing literature shows that in India and specifically the state of

Punjab has witnessed a gigantic use of drugs in the recent past years (Kalva and

Bansal, 2012). Drugs are related to crime in many ways. To use, purchase, sold,

manufacture or distribute illicit drug is considered as a crime. Propocyphene,

methadone, opiates, heroin, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine are a few examples of

these illicit drugs. Their intake changes the behaviour of an individual thus making

them vulnerable to aggression, violence and mental illness. A high percentage of

crime is being done under the influence of drugs or liquor. Literature shows the role

of drugs and alcohols in proliferation of crime. The use of drugs, alcohol consumption

and violent crime are closely linked with each other (Valdez, Kaplan, & Curtis, 2007).

Regarding this, Mumola (1999) reported that 60% to 80% of crime is related to drug.

Additionally, Singh and Singh (2011) observed that drug users are involved in crime

and possess traits that predispose individuals to criminal behaviour such as antisocial

personality disorder (ASPD). Criminal propensity explains the various forms of

antisocial behaviour. "Criminal propensity is genetic however these pathological traits

interact and are often aggravated by environmental social conditions" (Delisi, 2005).

In the similar vein, Singh and Sharma (2016) reviewed literature pertaining to crime,

behaviour of criminals and drug addicts. They identified four dimensions viz.,

aggression, disobedience, anti social behaviour and drug abuse to measure criminal

propensity among drug addicts.