Drug Menace
This week, I appeared twice on TV debates after the seizure of MD drug from the two factories at Bhopal and Jhabua. These factories were started a few months back and, fortunately, Gujarat ATS and Central agencies- Narcotics Control Bureau and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence gathered remarkable intelligence and recovered the drug in huge quantities. They have also successfully nabbed the gangs dealing in Cocaine in Gujarat and Delhi. Local police everywhere assisted them in arresting the culprits.
Under pressure from the US in the 80s, India prohibited sale of ganja (marijuana). Ganja was the traditional, cheap and comparatively harmless intoxicant which was consumed by all types of communities, including religious sadhus. The ban on Ganja led to underground production and consumption of Opium derivatives like brown sugar in 90s, and in this millennium. Opium family is highly addictive. Cocaine of Latin America was unknown in India, but recently it has taken a grip on our youth and rich. Cocaine, excites, and stimulates central nervous system. However, cocaine increases blood pressure and creates toxicity in the body.
Now MD and MDMA (Ecstasy) are being produced and consumed in a big way. MDMA is generally more potent than MD. These drugs are not simple intoxicants, but they are psychedelic and hallucinogenic substances. They produce feelings of euphoria, empathy, and increased energy. But their regular consumption may create serious mental ailments and depression.
MD and MDMA (Ecstasy) are very expensive drugs. Therefore, there demand comes from the group parties including the so-called rave parties. This has became a craze among teenagers and young groups. This trend will derange our tender and young persons.
This menace has to be taken very seriously by the government and the society. All the concerned enforcement agencies should develop excellent intelligence network, and disrupt the supply. But, far more important is the role of the society to curb the demand of this substance abuse. Most important role is to be played by the parents of the teenagers by observing their children and making them aware of the menace of drugs.
