Drug Abuse

15. Evidence of the HON'BLE F. R. S. COLLIER, Magistrate and Collector, 24-Parganas.

1. As Collector of several districts, I have had opportunities of obtaining information regarding the matters connected with hemp drugs.

2. Yes.

The drugs are known as siddbi or bhang, charas and ganja in this district.

3. It grows in Murshidabad, Jessore, 24-Parganas, and is abundant in Jessore.

4. Bhang or siddhi. These refer to exactly the same plant.

5. I am unable to answer the question fully; but it appears to flourish in the alluvial tracts of Lower Bengal.

6. Ordinarily dense.

7. Yes; but not in this district.

8. I am not aware of any such increase.

9. I am not acquainted with the methods of cultivation.

10. No; the ganja cultivators are of the same class as other agricultural cultivators.

11. Not so far as I am aware.

12. Not so far as I am aware.

13. The cultivation is restricted to the districts of Rajshahi, Bogra, and Dinajpur, known as " Naogaan ganja mahal." The districts were selected, I think, for their peculiar soil. I think a soft loamy soil with adaptability for irrigation is necessary for the cultivation of hemp for producing ganja. Its cultivation would be impossible, I think, in marshy land.

14. (a) In the Rajshabi, Bogra and Dinajpur districts.
(b) No.
(c) Illicitly prepared in this district, but the quantity is very small.

15. Only from cultivated plants different sorts of ganja are manufactured. I do not know much about the preparation of ganja and charas. Siddhi or bhang is prepared illicitly from the wild plants. The leaves are removed from the plants when they are flowering and then dried in the sun. After this process it is powdered and drunk after mixing it with water, milk, sugar, and spices. Ganja and charas are only smoked, generally after mixing with tobacco.

16. (a) Prepared to a very small extent in this district.
(b) Yes.
(c) No.

17. Ganja is prepared by the ordinary cultivators, both Hindus and Muhammadans. Siddhi is illicitly prepared by all classes of people who drink it.
I do not know what classes of people prepare charas.

18. The drugs deteriorate by keeping and lose their effect in time. Ganja and siddhi keep two or three years and charas four to five years.
The evaporation of narcotic matter causes deterioration.
If the drug is kept hermetically sealed in tin boxes, I think it might prevent deterioration.

19. Used only for smoking as far as I know.

20. Charas used to be smoked by both the upper and lower classes of people, but now its use is almost confined to a limited number of the latter. The consumption of charas in this district is not more than 30 seers per annum, and the number of smokers of this drug is not more than 300. Ganja is smoked generally by people of the lower castes, who have much outdoor work, such as boatmen, fishermen, and coolies, and by a limited number of the upper class in the Barasat subdivision. I think about 75 per cent, of the adult population of the labouring lower class of people smoke ganja.

21. In this district round ganja is prepared. Flat ganja is not used at all. The consumption of chur is very little.

22 Foreign. Nepal charas is imported from Amritsar.

23. Not as far I am aware.

24. Bhang drinking is prevalent among all classes of people. It is specially used by the inhabitants of Behar residing in this district. I think about 40 per cent, of the people drink siddhi or bhang.

25. The annual reports show that the consumption of ganja is falling off year by year. The consumption of siddhi shows an increase. In charas the increase of consumption is nominal. The vendors of this district formerly used to obtain eharas from Calcutta retail shops in small quantities, but now they are importing it direct from Amritsar, and are selling it wholesale to the vendor of the other districts.

27. These are mainly taken from the lower castes who have a good deal of rough outdoor work, such as Bagdi, Podh, Behara, Chamar, Mallah, Dhangar, Dulia' Dome, Mether, Boistab, Sanyasi, Koibarta, etc. They are generally moderate consumers.

28. (a) Ganja, two anna,s weight, price two pice. Charas, three annas weight, price one and a half minas. Siddhi, one tola, price two piee.
(b) Ganja, one tola, price four annas. Charas, one tom, price eight annas. Siddiii, two and a half tola, price five pice.

29. Ordinarily with ganja and charas prepared tobacco is mixed, and with siddhi spices, sugar, and milk.

I am not aware of any thing exceptionally mixed.

I have heard that dhatura seeds are used with ganja to increase its intoxicating power, but I have not seen any one use it.

In case of tobacco with charas and ganja the object is to soften the narcotic effect and to give a better flavour. Spices, etc., are used with siddhi to improve the taste and also to increase its intoxicating effect.

No. I do not know " bhang massala."

30. (a) Ganja and charas are smoked generally in company. No privacy is observed in case of drinking siddhi.
(6) It is mainly confined to the male sex and not to any special time of life.
(c) No.

31. (a) jYes.
(b) Yes.
(c) Not to the same extent as alcohol or opium.

32. The consumption of ganja and charas are not required by any social or religious custom. Bhang is drunk partly as a religious and more as a social custom on the fourth or last day of the Durga Puja, as it is believed that success in life results thereby, and the name itself, siddhi, implies success. It is popularly believed to have been the favourite drink of Siva, and is therefore used as an offering to him by devotees. The use is generally temperate, and there is no likelihood, of its leading to the formation of a habit.

33. The smoking of ganja is held in disrepute, but such is not the case with siddhi drinking or charas smoking. The sentiment against ganja smoking is, I think, due to the fact that its use is confined generally to the lower castes. I am not aware of any custom of worshipping the hemp plant on any occasion by any sect of people.

34. Yes. The labouring class of the population use ganja or charas as a stimulant to enable them to do hard work. They cannot possibly give up the practice without some substitute. Bhang again could not be given up by the habitual consumers without aggravating the complaints to prevent which they had recourse to its use.

About 50,000 of the labouring classes of this district use ganja as a stimulant for hard work. There are no less than 10,000 habitual consumers of siddhi ; but the charas smokers are not more than 300 in this district.

35. It is feasible to prohibit the use of charas but not of ganja or siddhi. These two may be consumed illicitly. I doubt if the prohibition could be enforced with regard to them. The prohibition would occasion serious discontent among the consumers, but that would not amount to a political danger. The prohibition would be followed by recourse to other deleterious drugs.

36. Alcohol is to a very small extent substituted for these dugs. Amongst the better classes, as stimulant, alcohol is considered superior. The use of these drugs is gradually diminishing. Tani to some extent has taken the place of ganja among the lower classes of people, for it stimulates, and at the same time satisfies hunger, although a little costly.

37. Yes. The effect of charas smoking is considered to be milder than ganja smoking.

38. No.

39. Siddhi drinking is less injurious than smoking charas or ganja. Smoking produces a strong instantaneous effect, but drinking is decidedly an easier method of consuming a large quantity at a time.

40. (a) Yes. (6) Yes.

41. (a) Believed to be both.
(b) Yes.
(c) Yes.
(d) 'I he use of ganja is supposed to enable a man to concentrate his mind on a subject.
Labouring class, 75 per cent, of them. The moderate use is referred to.

42. The moderate use is harmless, as it has no after-effect on the system.

43. Yes.

44. (a) It invigorates and causes a pleasant feeling of intoxication.
(b) Yes.
(e) Yes.
(d) No.
(e) Yes ; it does when taken in the form of siddhi.
(f ) One hour in case of ganja and charas and three to four hours in case of siddhi.
(9) No.
(h.) Produces longing in case of habitual consumers.

45. (a) No.
(b) In case of intemperate use it does.
(c) No,
(d) Yes, both in case of intemperate use.
(e) No.
(f) The moderate use does not deaden the intellect or produce insanity. It is said that adulteration of the drugs with other poisonous ingredients, such as dhatura, etc., produces insanity.
(g) It has been ascertained that of the insane persons in the district, only 19 are considered to have become so by the use of ganja. Of these 19 only one is reported to be violent. On sufficient enquiry, and as well as from the confession of these persons, it was elicited that in the majority of cases their insanity was due to other causes, such as family misfortune, etc., and some have taken to ganja after being insane. In four cases no other cause for their insanity could be ascertained, except the excessive use of the drug.

46. Habitual excessive indulgence causes the peculiar frenzy which causes Orientals to run amuck.

47. No.

48. Same as above.

49. (a) Yes.
(b) It is used so by the lowest class of prostitutes who frequent milas or fairs.
(c) I am not aware.
(d) No.

50. Same as above.

51. No.

52. No.

53. No

54. No.

55. No.

56. I have no personal knowledge of the admixture of other substances than what I have already noted.

57. I do not know that ganja and cbaras are eaten or drunk.

58. The excise administration in respect of hemp drugs is working well, and I am not prepared to suggest any improvement.

60 and 61. I think that there is sufficient control, and have no suggestion to make for the modification of the system.

62. I would not suggest any changes in this respect.

63. No.

61. No.

65. (a) Yes.
(b) Yes.

66. Yes; for flat and round have twigs which the chur has not. Each kind of ganja should be taxed in proportion to the narcotic matter that each is found to contain.

67. Yes, as remarked above.

68. There are licensed shops for the sale of these drugs; but ordinarily they are not smoked or drunk on the premises. The shops are not disreputable. Generally midi shopkeepers are the licensed holders of these shops.

69. Ordinarily the wishes of the people are not consulted or considered when a shop is opened in any locality. On the application of vendors and local inhabitants, licenses are granted after due enquiry at the auction settlement, held with the sanction of the Board. I do not think it is necessary to consult or consider public opinion, as these shops are not a nuisance.

70. (a) No.
(b) Yes;  in respect of ganja and charas but not of siddhi. The latter is used to some extent illicitly, but the use is not general.

Oral evidence.

I have served for 22 years in Bengal and Behar. The paper No. 217 submitted by the District Board of the 21-Parganas was drawn up by a Sub-Committee, under instructions received to the effect that a Sub-Committee should be appointed to report. The paper was not submitted to the District Board.

Question 15.—My statement regarding the preparation of siddhi from the wild plant applies to the 21-Parganas, where it certainly grows. The plant grows freely in all the alluvial districts. I am informed that it does not grow in the laterite districts. But I cannot vouch for that. I cannot say at present when the crop comes up. I understand that the plant should not be used before paying duty. Therefore I call this preparation illicit. I believe that for a person even to prepare a small quantity and use it without paying duty is illicit. We have specially licensed shops for the sale of siddlii in the 21-Parganas. Apart from the sum paid for the license-fees there is a direct duty on siddhi. That is, the stuff is sold from the godowns in Calcutta; and I understand that the price includes duty.

Question, 35.—The other deleterious drugs would probably be opium. I cannot say that I know of any other drug that would probably be substituted for ganja. I cannot say that I think opium is more deleterious than ganja. Of the two I think ganja is the more deleterious. The basis of this opinion is that I am under the impression that taken to excess it occasionally causes madness. This is little more than an impression. But from what I have heard of cases of madness and seen of reports as to the causes, I have formed the impression that ganja was frequently an exciting cause. Whether there may not have been a tendency to lunacy before the ganja habit was indulged in, I am not prepared to say.

It is said also that if indulged in to excess ganja makes a man lazy and disinclined to work. I cannot vouch for this from my own experience. On the other hand, taken in moderation, it enables persons to- perform out-door work.

I think that crime is very rarely connected with ga,nja. Occasionally violent crime may be due to ganja. I have heard of such cases. But I do not think that any one has come before me. My experience certainly does not show the connection of ganja with crime.

I think the prohibition of bhang would not be feasible. It grows too widely over the province. I do not see necessity for attempting such prohibition. I am not aware that the abuse of the drug is at all common so as to render such prohibition advisable. As regards ganja, although there are instances of abuse of smoking it, yet I think it is extremely useful to the large body of the workino. population. It is consumed by a large number of men who have rough out-door work to do. It enables them to do work which they could not do without it. In this view I think prohibition is not called for, and unless we are prepared to enforce prohibition in Native States and in Nepal, I do not think prohibition would be practicable with us. I cannot say that I consider further restriction called for. I do not see what further restriction you would have, unless you were to raise the price considerably, which would press hardly on the poorer classes. I think that the limit of taxation has been reached. One symptom of this is that consumption is decreasing. The duty is high and the class of persoub who use the drug is poor.

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