Punjab in grip of drugs
Wednesday - August 1, 2018 7:10 pm ,
Category : WTN SPECIAL
WTN- Drug menace is a global problem and India is also not immune to it. But Punjab has come up as a state with the highest prevalence of addiction in the country. By the government’s own admission, at least 75 per cent of the state’s youth are into drugs. A recent government study has found that over 870,000 young men in the state, between the ages of 15-35, are into drug abuse. Heroin happens to be the most preferred, used by 53 per cent of all addicts. But opium and synthetic drugs such as crystal methamphetamine are also common. Surprisingly, many of these drugs are reportedly sold by chemists and pharmacists over the counter. One estimate says that more than two-thirds of Punjab's households have at least one addict in the family.
There are villages of widows, where all the male members have succumbed to drugs due to extensive and prolonged abuse. However, the problem is not limited to men and youth. Even women and couples in large numbers are involved in this. Drug consumption in Punjab is three times the national average. There are multiple reasons for this sudden spike in the drug addict figures in the state. The menace started in the mid or late 90s, but at that time no one took notice, it is in a nascent stage.
The stagnation in the industrial and agriculture sectors that had set in during this time is attributed as one of the reasons for this trend picking up. There are high unemployment and desperation in the youth for lack of opportunities and fruitful engagements. The porous borders of Punjab with Pakistan lead to the easy availability of drugs pushed in from across the border. The Golden Crescent comprising Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan trio is the largest producer and supplier of opium. They need a big market and India is the nearest and most vulnerable due to its vast population and loopholes in law and order. The heroine is bought from Afghanistan at Rs 1 lakh/kg. Passing through Pakistan it is smuggled into Punjab and reportedly sold for Rs 30 lakh a kg.
The profit is unimaginable. This huge profit is the lure which prevents stringent action against peddlers. It is said that everyone from BSF guards to high profile administrative officials, from political leaders to industrialists are involved in some way or the other in the racket. Therefore, no one takes any action and steps towards ending the menace. They rather want the system to continue. The biggest losers are the commoners. Drugs sell dear and families are not only morally and emotionally ruined but they are also left financially drained.
This leads them to various nefarious activities to earn easy bucks with which they could buy drugs. Punjab being the drug hub also serves as the nerve centre of supplies across the country. In the urban Punjabi pop culture, the fad for party, drinking and fashion also leads the youth to do drugs as it is deemed a smart and modern way of life. The government not only urgently needs to take up intense awareness and rehabilitation measures to wean away the youth from the deadly trap, but also hold government servants accountable and liable to be punished, if found guilty of dereliction or compliance.
-Window To News
There are villages of widows, where all the male members have succumbed to drugs due to extensive and prolonged abuse. However, the problem is not limited to men and youth. Even women and couples in large numbers are involved in this. Drug consumption in Punjab is three times the national average. There are multiple reasons for this sudden spike in the drug addict figures in the state. The menace started in the mid or late 90s, but at that time no one took notice, it is in a nascent stage.
The stagnation in the industrial and agriculture sectors that had set in during this time is attributed as one of the reasons for this trend picking up. There are high unemployment and desperation in the youth for lack of opportunities and fruitful engagements. The porous borders of Punjab with Pakistan lead to the easy availability of drugs pushed in from across the border. The Golden Crescent comprising Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan trio is the largest producer and supplier of opium. They need a big market and India is the nearest and most vulnerable due to its vast population and loopholes in law and order. The heroine is bought from Afghanistan at Rs 1 lakh/kg. Passing through Pakistan it is smuggled into Punjab and reportedly sold for Rs 30 lakh a kg.
The profit is unimaginable. This huge profit is the lure which prevents stringent action against peddlers. It is said that everyone from BSF guards to high profile administrative officials, from political leaders to industrialists are involved in some way or the other in the racket. Therefore, no one takes any action and steps towards ending the menace. They rather want the system to continue. The biggest losers are the commoners. Drugs sell dear and families are not only morally and emotionally ruined but they are also left financially drained.
This leads them to various nefarious activities to earn easy bucks with which they could buy drugs. Punjab being the drug hub also serves as the nerve centre of supplies across the country. In the urban Punjabi pop culture, the fad for party, drinking and fashion also leads the youth to do drugs as it is deemed a smart and modern way of life. The government not only urgently needs to take up intense awareness and rehabilitation measures to wean away the youth from the deadly trap, but also hold government servants accountable and liable to be punished, if found guilty of dereliction or compliance.
-Window To News
