Hisar grapples with alarming rise in drug overdose deaths

The drug menace in Hisar town has reached alarming levels, with the death of a 27-year-old youth, Abhishek, marking the ninth fatality due to suspected drug overdose last year. Abhishek, a resident of Dogran Mohalla, was found dead near Shiv Chowk recently, with a syringe still stuck in his left hand.

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Past incidents in 2024

Jan 6: Gaurav of Tekla Mohalla found dead in bushes near New Cloth Market

Feb 2: Vicky of Rajiv Nagar found dead

Feb 27: Vishal of Satrod found dead in Vikas Nagar area

March 4: Youth in Vikas Nagar died of overdose

Sept 12: Rahul’s body found in a park in Adampur

Sept 17: A youth in 12 Quarters locality died of heart failure caused by addiction

Oct 3: 21-year-old Rahul found dead

Dec 28: Abhishek of Dogran Mohalla found dead near Shiv Chowk

Family members revealed that Abhishek was battling drug addiction and had been admitted to de-addiction centres in the past. He worked as a salesperson at a cloth merchant shop in Rajguru Market.

A police official confirmed that the preliminary investigation pointed to a drug overdose as the cause of death. Health officials in Hisar highlighted that addiction often begins with inhaling ‘chitta’ fumes, which escalates to the consumption of heavy doses, leading to fatal respiratory depression.

“Drugs like tramadol and tapentadol worsen the risks, causing a deadly cocktail that can result in death,” a health official said.

The rising number of overdose deaths has sparked alarm among residents and authorities, who are urging stronger measures to tackle the substance abuse crisis in the region.