Unemployment, family conflicts, easy drug availability major reasons for addiction among youngsters

Twenty-nine-year-old Rajan (name changed), who is hearing and speech impaired, has been taking drugs for the past seven years. His mother has been running from pillar to post to help him overcome the addiction.

Worried about his future, she fears that if something happens to her, her other two sons may harm Rajan as he often picks fights with them under the influence of intoxicants.

“If the government had controlled the drug menace, I would not have been sitting here at the de-addiction centre. Drugs are easily available in Salem Tabri and nearby areas,” she lamented.

At the 10-bed de-addiction centre at the Civil Hospital, only hardcore addicts are admitted while others are treated in the daily OPD. One of the staff members there said: “You can’t imagine the kind of cases we receive here. Since we can accommodate only 10 patients, others are prescribed medicines and called for follow-ups. Looking at the situation, the centre should have at least 20 to 30 beds.”

Taufeek (name changed), a 24-year-old youth, came to the centre accompanied by his sister. “I am fine now,” he said confidently, adding that “but around 6 pm, my body starts aching till I get alcohol. I can’t rest till I’ve had six to eight quarters.” His sister, with tears rolling down her cheeks, said: “He earns money as a daily wager but whatever he gets is spent on liquor. He doesn’t want food — only alcohol.”

Another old couple from Haibowal brought their 35-year-old son to the centre. The mother said he was unable to speak and act on his own due to the influence of drugs. “He has three children but his wife has been staying with her parents in Dasuya for the past six years. He remains under the influence of drugs all the time,” she said helplessly.

Easy availability of drugs, unemployment and conflicts among families have emerged as major reasons for the growing addiction among the youth in the region. Peer pressure, though present, is a relatively smaller factor.

A doctor at the de-addiction centre, requesting anonymity, said the easy availability of heroin remains the biggest concern. “Though we receive patients addicted to alcohol, cannabis or sleeping pills, most of the youths — especially between 20 and 40 years of age — are hooked to heroin. It causes severe judgment impairment and emotional numbness. When deprived, the addicts become violent, steal money or even try to escape from the centre,” the doctor explained.

He said much more needs to be done to curb the menace. “While in cities, the younger population is suffering, in rural areas even middle-aged individuals are falling prey to drugs,” he said.

Ludhiana