VIJAYAWADA: In the complete absence of rehabilitation centres, youngsters in the city remain enslaved to psychotropic substances. Psychiatrists from Vijayawada treated two heroin and two cocaine cases this year.
While there are thousands of Injected Drug Users (IDUs) who usually take the drugs to experience ecstasy, orally ingestible drugs like ganja and whitener and sedatives like Fortwin and Pentwin are now available freely in the market, due to lack of monitoring.
According to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials and psychiatrists, addiction to ganja and sedative drugs will lead to addiction of more dangerous drugs such as heroin, cocaine, LSD and crystal methamphetamine.
“There are 25 psychiatrists in Vijayawada. On an average, 15 to 20 cases that a psychiatrist looks into out of around 100 a day are those pertaining to drug addicts. Most of the patients are found to be ganja and whitener addicts. Surprisingly, these drug addicts also have free access to cannabis,” observed Indian Psychiatric Society former national president Indla Ramasubba Reddy.
Meanwhile, city-based NGOs, working for the prevention of drug abuse, pointed out that the sales of ganja and sedative drugs in the black market continue unchecked in the city. “Irrespective of their economic and social status, many people, including women, are found doing drugs. But, only a few are being treated at our NGO,” said Bhanu Ramesh, project manager of LEADS Foundation.
Denizens, mostly youngsters, are unaware that ganja falls under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the provisions under the Act are stringent. “We act only when at least 20 kg ganja is being transported. Addiction to narcotic drugs begins with ganja and sedative drugs. The state Excise and Drug Control department has to own the responsibility for the increase in drug addiction cases,” senior officials from NCB told Express.
When contacted, Prohibition & Excise director (Enforcement) K Venkateswara Rao said the department was working effectively. Around 100 cases have been booked under the NDPS Act till date this year. The presence of cannabis is rampant in Anakapalle followed by Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, Gajuwaka, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool, he explained.
“The police should keep a tight vigil on the sale of sedative drugs,” said Medical and Health principal secretary Poonam Malakondaiah.
Meanwhile, city Commissioner of Police Gautam Sawang asserted that the police had not come across any drug addicts, but assured a drive to check the sale of sedatives. “There is a need for coordination among the respective departments to deal with the drug menace,” he said.