Adulteration complicates heroin-related health concerns

Consumption of adulterated heroin is emerging as a major health risk in Solan, with medical practitioners being increasingly approached by youth suffering from serious health issues.

Laced with adulterants such as chalk powder, chemicals, flour and other substances, the persistent use of diacetylmorphine — popularly known as heroin or ‘chitta’ — can lead to limb amputation, vision impairment, loss of voice and psychological disturbances. Most complications occur in the upper limbs, as the drug is commonly injected there.

Recounting his experience with the adverse health impacts of heroin consumption, Dr Sanjay Aggarwal, a laparoscopic surgeon, said, “The other day, a 21-year-old youth from a prestigious university came in with unbearable pain in his right hand. It had turned blue, with visible numbness, blisters and a foul smell.”

The youth had been injecting substances into the vessels of his right forearm and elbow for the past three months. Despite being left-handed, he had been using his right hand.

His aspirations of a promising career were shattered, as his hand had to be amputated.

This is not an isolated case. Many lives have been affected by this menace in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.

According to Dr Aggarwal, more than 20 per cent of youth visiting various hospitals are suffering from some form of addiction. “The surgical complications arising from the use of diacetylmorphine, adulterated with substances like chalk powder, chemicals and flour, are numerous, as these materials merely increase the bulk,” he explained.

These additives are insoluble and remain suspended in the bloodstream. When injected into an artery or vein, they can clog or completely block small capillaries, arteries or veins. This results in a lack of oxygen supply to tissues, leading to cell death and eventually necrosis. The dead tissue then becomes a breeding ground for infections, further worsening the condition.

Additional risks include the use of infected syringes, sharing needles among users or reusing syringes due to financial constraints. This can lead to serious infections such as HIV, viral hepatitis and other communicable diseases.

“We have encountered cases where complete loss of blood supply to a limb makes it gangrenous. Initial bluish discolouration can progress to brown or black, hardened tissue. The limb may lose sensation and mobility. Infections can lead to pus formation, which is often foul-smelling,” Dr Aggarwal elaborated.

Even as the police have stepped up vigilance against drug trafficking, active coordination among residents is essential to curb this growing menace, which threatens to cripple the younger generation.