Hisar drug problem reaches critical point, seven deaths this year
The alarming rise in drug overdose deaths has gripped the Mill Gate area of Hisar town, with the latest victim being a 21-year-old youth named Rahul, raising the toll to seven this year. Rahul was found in an E-rickshaw with a syringe injected in his right hand, signalling the growing drug abuse crisis.
Notable drug overdose deaths
- Gaurav of Tekla Mohalla, found dead in bushes near New Cloth Market on January 6
- Vishal of Satrod, found dead in Vikas Nagar on February 27
- Vicky of Rajiv Nagar, found dead on February 2
- A youth in Vikas Nagar, died of drug overdose on March 4
- Rahul found dead in a park in Adampur on September 12
- A 41-year-old man died due to drug overdose in Gangwa village
- A youth in the 12 Quarters locality, died of heart failure on September 17
The drug problem has taken on deadly proportions, with increasing numbers of youth in the region comprising Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad districts succumbing to drug abuse. Social activist Balram Jakhar, from Abubshahar in the Dabwali subdivision of Sirsa district, revealed the shocking frequency of these deaths.
“In my village alone, around 40 youths have died in the past two years due to drug overdose. Several other villages have seen similar numbers, with 20-30 deaths each in the same period,” said Jakhar. He criticised the authorities, stating, “There are all ‘talks’ but no ‘measures’ from the government.”
Other villages, including Lohgarh, Mangiana, Desujoda, and Rampura Bishnoian, have similarly high death rates due to drug overdoses, Jakhar said.
Despite these alarming figures, the police appear to lack concrete data. Dabwali Sadar Police Station SHO Braham Prakash mentioned that they have no official figures on deaths caused by drug overdoses in his jurisdiction. “Drug abuse is indeed a serious problem, and the police are taking action. However, we can only register a report if the families report the death as drug-related,” he said, adding that 11 out of the 41 villages in his area have been declared drug-free.
Dr Prashant Kumar, a health official in Hisar, stressed the gravity of the situation. “The death of seven youths in Hisar town alone, as reported in the media, highlights how severe the crisis is. There is an urgent need for collective efforts from families, society, the government, and law enforcement agencies. The situation is scary, and intervention on a war footing is essential,” he emphasised.
Jakhar lamented that despite drug abuse being a key political talking point, little has been done to tackle the problem effectively. Dr Kumar echoed his concern, calling for a comprehensive campaign involving all stakeholders.
Drug addiction often starts with the use of “chitta,” inhaled by heating it on foil paper. Over time, addicts turn to intravenous drug use, injecting themselves with syringes, which leads to sudden respiratory depression and death. A lethal combination of drugs like tramadol and tapentadol is particularly dangerous, often causing sudden death due to respiratory failure.
