Gurdas Kumar
Early Times Report
Vijaypur, Apr 24: Drug addiction among youth, is on the rise in Vijaypur Area and has become a matter of concern for local residents.
The most common form of drugs used in the area are charas, ganja, afeem, bhukki, fluid (correction fluid), ointment and alcohol besides psychotropic and sedative drugs.
"The youths in Vijaypur are becoming the victim of drug addiction due to the easy availability of prescription and sedative drugs in the neighbouring states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, but the menace is unchecked due to the apathy of authorities concerned," said Abinash Choudhary a local social activist.
The drug items especially, painkillers, cough syrups, fluids, adhesives, ointments, cigarettes and even banned 'gutkha' are easily available in the market, which is enticing youth into drug abuse. Some youngsters even use solvent and whitener to satiate their addiction, he said.
A youth who wished anonymity said that the consignments of contraband in smaller packs including the psychotropic and sedative drugs are brought from the neighbouring states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh and then sold in black markets in the town. He further said that even Children 14 to 15 years of age are getting addicted of these sedative and narcotic items.
"It has found that initially youngsters start using these drugs for fun or just to cope up with a problem and later they become drug addicts. The drug addiction is also one of the primary reasons for youngsters getting involved in theft and robbery," said Karan Singh, president of Peoples Forum for Human Values.
The drug abuse can be curbed with the help of parents concerned, police and other social and government organizations. The authorities should take up preventive measures and strong action to put an end to it, he said.
"We put up nakas to prevent people from bringing the contraband from neighbouring areas. During recent past, the police had seized several types of drugs including poppy husk, synthetic drugs and sedatives from smugglers in Samba," said Joginder Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba.
He said the motivational and awareness camps have been given priority to make the young generation aware about the ill effects of drugs. The drug menace could be eradicated with the cooperation of the people, he added. |
