Barodians find their poison: a homeo drug

“We get a 450 ml bottle from wholesale stores and it is sufficient for three persons. It provides mental ease and helps increase our appetite,” said a user who wished to be anonymous.

“Getting liquor is hard,and there is no guarantee of it being genuine. So why not go for the medicine which gives you a high? One can get a 450 ml bottle for Rs 285,a 100 ml bottle for Rs 60 and a 30 ml bottle for Rs 50.”

“Unlike prescription allopathic drugs,it can be bought from a homoeopathic medical store without any prescription,” he added.

Rhus Tox 30N is a generic drug manufactured by several companies in India and abroad and should be consumed only when prescribed by a qualified and registered medical practitioner according to Wheezal spokesperson Hemani Negi.

“The medicine is supplied in a diluted form. Although homoeopathic medicines do not generally have side effects,consuming it in large quantities could harm the liver due to its high alcohol content,” she said.

More and more people have resorted to the medicine as an alternative to alcohol,especially in the old city area in Vadodara like Dandia Bazar,Warasia and Sayajigunj.

According to a user,young people are increasingly getting hooked to this drug. A 22-year-old man got a swollen face as a side effect of the drug. “But when compared to allopathic medicines,it is less harmful,” he added. Allopathic drugs,especially cough syrups such as Corex,Catrizine,Roxcof and Kores among others,are commonly used among youngsters for intoxication.

“But we have not seen a use of homeopathic medicines to get a high,” said Anant Christian who runs Faith Foundation,an NGO in Vadodara,which works in the field of drug abuse.

An increasing amount ofdrug abuse have also been reported among the affluent youth in the city,especially drugs such as ketamine added Anant Christian.