APSC CCE Mains PYQ 2023, Essay Paper: Addiction is a compulsive disorder rather than a criminal act
The Essay Paper in the APSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) is often the deciding factor for aspirants aiming for the top ranks. Unlike General Studies papers, the essay requires a blend of factual knowledge, philosophical depth, and—most importantly—local context.
In the APSC 2024 Mains, one of the most thought-provoking topics was: “Artificial Intelligence is today’s Frankenstein”
For an aspirant from Assam, this topic provides a unique opportunity to juxtapose cutting-edge technology with the state’s deep-rooted humanism. It allows you to move beyond global tech debates and ground the “Frankenstein” metaphor in the local realities of the Brahmaputra valley
Here is a structured, detailed look at how to approach a similar topic “Addiction is a compulsive disorder rather than a criminal act”
APSC Mains Essay Paper, 2023: Addiction is a compulsive disorder rather than a criminal act
Model Answer:
The shifting landscape of modern medicine and social science has brought us to a critical juncture in our understanding of human behavior. For decades, the shadows of addiction were viewed through a purely legalistic lens, where the individual was seen as a deliberate violator of social norms. However, as our understanding of the human brain has deepened, the narrative has moved from the courtroom to the clinic. Addiction is increasingly recognized as a complex, chronic, and relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite devastating consequences. To address this crisis, we must analyze addiction as a health emergency, moving away from the “punitive model” toward a “restorative model” that prioritizes neurobiology, social empathy, and public health.
The historical perception of addiction as a “moral failure” or a “criminal choice” is rooted in a misunderstanding of how the brain functions. In earlier eras, the inability to stop using a substance was seen as a lack of willpower or a character flaw. This led to a “War on Drugs” approach that focused heavily on incarceration and social shaming. However, scientific research has shown that prolonged substance use leads to structural and functional changes in the brain’s reward system. The prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision making and impulse control, becomes compromised, making the “choice” to stop nearly impossible without medical intervention. In this light, punishing a person for a compulsive disorder is as illogical as punishing someone for a chronic physical ailment like diabetes or hypertension.
If we examine this through a socio economic lens, particularly in the context of our local reality in the North East, the “criminalization” of addiction often exacerbates the problem. In many parts of Assam, the youth are lured into substance abuse due to a lack of employment opportunities or as a way to cope with the “structural injustice” of poverty. When we treat these individuals as criminals, we push them further to the margins of society. A criminal record makes it nearly impossible for a recovering individual to find a job or reintegrate into the community, creating a “vicious cycle” of recidivism and despair. Instead, an approach rooted in the Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) focuses on rehabilitation, providing the “ladder of opportunity” that allows the individual to climb out of the pit of dependency.
Moving from the individual to the sectoral perspective, the burden on our judicial and prison systems is immense. Our jails are often overcrowded with low level offenders whose primary issue is a health disorder rather than a criminal intent. This “misallocation of resources” drains the exchequer and prevents law enforcement from focusing on the actual “merchants of death”—the traffickers and organized syndicates who profit from human misery. By shifting addiction management to the healthcare sector, we can implement “harm reduction” strategies, such as counseling and medically assisted treatment, which have been proven to be far more effective and cost efficient than long term incarceration.
The psychological dimension of addiction also demands a “curriculum of empathy.” Addiction is often a “symptom” of a deeper, unaddressed trauma or a mental health condition. For many, the substance is a form of self medication against the “darkness of the mind.” When the state treats this as a crime, it adds “stigma” to “suffering.” This stigma prevents people from seeking help early, as they fear legal repercussions or social boycott. To truly heal our society, we must foster an environment where reaching out for help is seen as a sign of strength rather than a confession of guilt. The “Dharma” of a compassionate society is to heal the sick, not to condemn the broken.
Ethically, the transition from a “criminal act” to a “compulsive disorder” represents a move toward “substantive justice.” It recognizes that the “free will” of an addicted person is not the same as that of a healthy individual. True justice lies in treating the “root cause” rather than just punishing the “symptom.” This requires a “multidimensional approach” involving doctors, social workers, and community leaders. In our local tradition, the “Namghar” and village councils can play a pivotal role as “centers of healing,” where the community provides the social support necessary for a “reclamation of the soul.”
Furthermore, the “Act with Compassion” approach aligns with the global shift toward “decriminalization” seen in various developed nations. These countries have seen a reduction in overdose deaths and a decrease in crime rates by treating addiction as a public health priority. For a “Viksit Bharat,” our policies must be guided by “evidence based science” rather than “emotion based prejudice.” We must invest in “modern rehabilitation centers” that provide both medical care and vocational training, ensuring that a person returning from addiction has the skills to lead a “blessed and virtuous” life.
In conclusion, addiction is a “compulsive disorder” that requires the “scalpel of science” and the “balm of empathy” rather than the “handcuffs of the law.” We must stop viewing the addicted person as a “villain” and start seeing them as a “patient” in need of a miracle. While the state must remain firm against the traffickers who “poison our future,” it must remain infinitely compassionate toward the victims who have lost their way in the digital and chemical wilderness of the modern world.
As we look toward the horizon of a healthier society, let us remember the wisdom of our heritage which teaches that every life is precious. We must build a nation where no one is left behind in the “shadows of stigma.” In the spirit of “Siro senehee mor vasa jononi,” just as we cherish our mother tongue, let us cherish the “sanctity of human life” by providing the care and respect that every individual deserves. Only when we replace the “prison cell” with a “healing space” will we truly succeed in the war against addiction. Our victory will not be measured by the number of arrests, but by the number of “reclaimed lives” that contribute to the prosperity of our land.
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