Kozhikode: Drug peddlers entrap students as carriers

KOZHIKODE: Student drug abusers, as well as peddlers, are increasing alarmingly in the district. An increase in the number of youngsters accompanied by parents queuing up for de-addiction, according to the psychiatrists, testifies it.

The drug mafia uses many ways to get school students entrapped in their chain. They attract pupils from class seven to plus two.

In the beginning, peddlers supply the stuff for free and make them addicted. They then insist on carrying drugs in school bags for supply on a small remuneration.

As carries the risk for them to get caught is less. Gradually they invite their companion into this chain. Law enforcers had seized LSD, cocaine, MDMA, heroin and ganja from students.

A 15-year-old from here has been treated as an inpatient in the "Vimukthi" de-addiction centre at Govt. General Hospital, Beach, started in February. They have treated 70 people, including a student, inpatient here so far from 366 cases reported.

According to Vimukthi officials, 63 of them have abstained from drugs after treatment.

Officials offer a cure in 21 days. Detoxification and deaddiction are part of therapy.

"Students becoming peddlers are as dangerous as addiction. We organise drugs awareness classes in schools and teach them the ways to escape the pitfalls," Vimukthi medical officer Gijesh said.

"Students do not come here voluntarily for fear of being sued. Excise sleuths bring them. We also educate Asha and Anganwadi workers on how to identify addicts and suspects."

Of the 366 outpatients, five are below 15 years of age and 18 between 15 and 18, while 91 are between 18 and 35, and rest 252 are above 35. Officials frequently contact the outpatients. As part of the 21-day therapy, doctors guide patients for a job or education.But essential medicines are not available here, and patients are purchasing those from outside. Vimukthi offers free treatment when private institutions charge a fee of Rs 20,000 to 40,000.