Civil Hospital sees rise in drug overdose cases

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 18

A rise in the number of drug overdose cases has been observed lately in the local Civil Hospital. The monthly register prepared at the trauma ward of the hospital depicted the sudden increase in the cases. A hospital attendant said on a monthly basis, over 35 cases of drug overdose are being reported in the district. Last month, 38 cases were reported. Earlier, the cases were limited to over 20, however currently 1-3 such cases were registered everyday at the hospital.

On a single day, five different cases of drug overdose were reported at the emergency ward of the hospital in the late hours on Sunday. The admitted patients, including a woman, were later shifted to the trauma ward. As per the record shown at the ward, the first case was reported at 10:30 pm in which two men were brought from the Sodal Gate railway lines area where both addicts were found lying unconsciously at the crossing. Later, another two were found from the Maqsudan Sabzi Mandi area around 11.40 pm.

With the help of local residents, who immediately called the 108 ambulance services, the addicts were taken to the Civil Hospital. Injections and chitta (synthetic drug) were seized from them.

The drug overdose cases and intake of intoxicants also raise many questions over the buddy system launched by the Congress government in the state whereas different buddy groups were formed to curb drug users in every locality of the state.

The claims put forth by residents also reflect a shocking image of public areas where addicts could be seen consuming drugs openly. Sanveen Singh, a resident of Anand Nagar, said: “His house lies near the railway lines and everyday, he sees youths sitting on the lines and consuming drugs. It’s not about Anand Nagar only, the railway lines near the bus stand, Ladhewali and other such isolated areas have been blatantly used by the addicts to consume intoxicants openly, said a police official. Dismantled buildings around such areas and in interiors of the city had also been used by them.”

Another resident Satnam Singh said the administration and the police should keep a regular check on such areas to control the menace.