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When drugs lost to statistics

Spearheading an anti-drug movement by mobilising youth gives meaning to my post-retirement life.

When drugs lost to statistics

A drug rehab programme underway. AFP



Brish Bhan Ghaloti

Spearheading an anti-drug movement by mobilising youth  gives meaning to my post-retirement life. The young brigade of my ancestral village which is remote and situated in the interior is fully aware of my commitment. I was invited to give a key note address as well as preside over a seminar, “Drugs and the impact on village economy", which they planned to organise in the village. I happily agreed to their request. 

I insisted on ensuring the participation of all stakeholders' — medical experts in the area of  drug-deaddiction, representatives of NGOs, senior health functionaries, panchayat members, representatives of various political parties, women and a competent police authority. I reached the venue on time even though the proceedings of the seminar started an hour late. All the invitees gave powerful presentations that cast a positive spell on the village audience. In the end, it was my turn to present my views. I briefed the audience of the reasonably acceptable level of customary drugs in the village, in the past. Such drugs were not at all deadly then. 

Further, I spoke on the prevailing drugs, including synthetic ones, which are causing widespread damage to the village economy in the terms of wealth, health and decaying social fabric and value systems.  I used statistics extensively. I began, “As per the Census 2011, the total population of the village is 4,500. Out of this, nearly 2,500 are women and children, who are drug safe. Of remaining 2,000, I presume that 50 per cent are away from drugs (though a doctor friend of mine who remained posted in the village for 14 years disagreed and stated that nearly 70 per cent of male adults were addicted to either one or multiple drugs).” I continued, “If all remaining drug addicts numbering 1,000 spend Rs 50 per day on drugs (which again is much below the actual expenditure incurred by each such individual), the total expenditure incurred by the village will be Rs 50,000, Rs 15 lakh and Rs 1.80 crore for one day, one month and one year, respectively. If the amount so spent is just doubled (which is more realistic), then Rs 1 lakh, Rs 30 lakh and Rs 3.60 crore are regularly siphoned off from our villagers' exchequer in the same time periods.” 

I also took the opportunity to quote statistics on the consumption pattern of liquor for 2014-15, given by the Punjab government  As per these statistics, each Punjabi consumes 14 bottles of liquor per year. If this is calculated in case of my village (of 4,500 population), it comes to around 63,000 bottles per year. I elaborated further, “If every bottle so consumed is averagely priced at just Rs 200, the total amount so spent only on one form of drugs, that is liquor, amounts to Rs 1.26 crore per year in our village.” 

The use of statistics cast a spell on the audience. They seemed convinced and took a pledge to shun drugs. I requested them not to run for petty grant-in-aid from rulers but conserve huge amounts spent on drugs and the resultant health care due to the side-effects of drugs. I was comforted when my friends from the village informed me that the government had has acceded to the request for closing the theka (liquor vend) in the village for the next financial year. This boosts the morale of social activists and helps us to fight the drug menace.

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