Drug abuse a growing concern, 65 lost lives to menace in Sirsa in two years

The drug menace in Sirsa district is wreaking havoc on the lives of many, with nearly 7,000 families affected by the epidemic. Sources at the local Civil Hospital have claimed that at least 65 lives have been lost to the menace in the district in the last two years. Experts point to unemployment and negative peer influence as significant contributors to the growing drug addiction in the region.

Local MLA Gopal Kanda has also expressed concern over the rising problem of drug addiction in Sirsa. He attributed the problem primarily to the lack of job opportunities for the youth.

Kanda said he believed the main reason for the increase in drug abuse in Sirsa was the absence of industries in the area. He emphasised that if there were more employment opportunities, youth would have a vision and stay away from drugs.

According to the police, 333 cases were filed under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, resulting in the arrest of 538 individuals involved in drug trafficking last year. The police recovered 41.76 kg of opium, 3,890 kg of poppy husk, 5.37 kg of heroin and chitta and about 8,300 intoxicating pills and capsules.

Sirsa’s Superintendent of Police, Vikrant Bhushan, claims that 94 villages in Sirsa district and four wards in Sirsa city were successfully declared drug-free.

However, several tragic cases highlight the severity of the situation. In one incident, a youth from Mandi Dabwali succumbed to a drug overdose. In another, a promising student from Dabwali, who had recently cleared a government examination, lost his life due to addiction. The problem is not limited to any single demographic — it affects students, labourers and even those from well-to-do families.

The use of syringes to administer drugs is particularly concerning, as it has led to a rise in infections and other health complications. Villages such as Ganga, Mangeana, Odhan, Sakta Khera and Rania have become hotspots for drug-related deaths, leaving families devastated and communities in despair.

Despite government efforts to curb the crisis, including the seizure of drugs and the establishment of rehabilitation centres, the problem persists. The availability of drugs remains a significant problem, with reports of illegal substances being smuggled and sold openly.

Community leaders and health experts are calling for immediate and comprehensive action to address the drug epidemic. They emphasise the need for better employment opportunities, strict law enforcement and enhanced awareness programmes to prevent youth from falling prey to addiction.