Death due to drug overdose cause of worry among parents

Manmeet Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 26

The recent deaths of the drug addicts allegedly due to drug overdose have left residents and parents of such youth worried. At least seven persons have died in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts in the last three days. The residents unanimously blamed the government machinery in its failure to stop the supply of drugs.

Apart from the deaths, many video messages showing drug addicts lying unconscious on streets in various parts of the district have also added to their worries.

“Though drug problem is an old issue, hitherto such instances of deaths due to drugs and youth lying unconscious on streets were rare,” said Jagwinder Singh, a senior citizen. He said this new development is a cause of distress and serious steps must be taken to curb the drug menace.

The residents, while blaming the government for its failure, also stated that now parents of such youth are more open to talk about their ward’s addiction.

Satpal Singh, a retired school principal said, “Few years ago, even if a person died due to drug abuse, the family would claim he had a heart attack or cite some other reason. Now, it seems that they are fed up and openly admit the truth that their son is drug addict,” he said that life of such families with drug addict male members is nothing less than hell.

Almost in all cases, in which deaths due to drug overdose was alleged by family members, they have filed complaints with the police directly naming certain persons for selling drug to their children. But the police have often failed to take action in such cases in want of evidence.

In one such case at Chak Mishri village near Ajnala, the police registered case against four members of a family for selling drugs on the complaint of family members of Surjit Singh, who had died two months ago. But due to inaction on the part of police, the family and village residents had to file a complaint to CM office to get the alleged drug peddlers booked.

Awareness programme against drug abuse

To mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, different activities were organised in the city on Tuesday.

A seminar was held by 17 Battalion BSF, Ram Tirath to observe the day. Commandant RC Sharma presided over the event as chief guest. He said, “There is an urgent need that the continuous efforts are put in this direction to save the youth from drug problem.” A number of students participated in the event and talked about drug addiction.

NCC First Punjab battalion, in collaboration with police authorities, held a seminar at Government Senior Secondary School, Chheharta. City students also took part in the event.

An awareness rally was also taken out in the city by representatives of various medical associations, Swami Vivekananda Rehabilitation Centre, students of medical college, staff from civil surgeon office. Addressing the audience before commencing the rally, MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla advised youth to refrain from drugs.