Sirsa reels under a deadly new drug menace

A disturbing new drug trend is sweeping across Sirsa district, claiming the lives of young people. With heroin (chitta) becoming scarce due to police crackdowns, addicts are now crushing prescription medicines like Tramadol, Tapentadol, Pregabalin, and “Signature” capsules, mixing them with water, and injecting the solution directly into their veins. The method, meant to intensify the high, is proving fatal.

In the latest case, 25-year-old Gopi Ram of Nuhianwali village collapsed and died on Monday after his friend allegedly injected him with a concoction of crushed pills. His wife told police that she rushed in after hearing his screams and saw their friend Kulwant alias Kalia holding a syringe. Before he could be taken to hospital, Gopi lost his life. Kulwant fled the scene and remains absconding.

Police have booked the accused under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Confirming the case, SHO Brahm Prakash said, “The initial investigation shows that the injection was made using crushed intoxicating tablets. This caused a strong reaction in the body, leading to death. A case has been registered based on the wife’s statement, and efforts to arrest the accused are underway.”

Doctors warn that injecting oral drugs can be catastrophic. Dr MK Bhadu, CMO of Sirsa Civil Hospital, explained, “These medicines are designed to be taken by mouth. When crushed and injected, they cause blood clots and can stop the heart.”

Tragically, Gopi’s death is not an isolated case. Several similar fatalities have been reported from the Rori belt in recent months — among them a 24-year-old new father, a former kabaddi player, and even teenagers. Many victims reportedly died within minutes of injection.

The easy availability of these medicines is compounding the crisis. Unlike heroin, most of these tablets do not fall under the NDPS Act, making their sale and purchase loosely regulated. Local chemist shops are allegedly selling them without prescriptions.

Slamming the government’s response, Sirsa MP Kumari Selja described the situation as a public health emergency. She said, “Tapentadol, Pregabalin, and Signature capsules are openly sold in villages and towns. Youth are dying, and families are being destroyed. The government must break the drug supply chain.”

Selja also criticised token measures like anti-drug marathons, adding, “Reality demands action, not slogans. Sirsa is becoming infamous for medical drug abuse. Even youth from Punjab are coming to Dabwali and Rori to get these pills.”