Drug abuse takes youth’s life

The incident that occurred in Sanjauli area — infamous for its drug-addicts — led to a series of angry protests, demonstrations and blocking of the main road for hours this morning. The shop-keepers also observed bandh for a few hours.

The police registered a case against Viney Medical Store and rounded-up the licencee. Other chemist shops in the area were also sealed to check stock with the assistance of the drug authorities.

Deputy Commissioner Shimla Ram Subhag Singh, who alongwith SSP, Shimla, A N Sharma held talks with the local residents and persuaded them to lift their sit-in dharna, told The Indian Express that he had recommended disciplinary action against the drug inspector, who apparently had not checked the stocks of the chemists for long.

The Drug Controller, who also rushed to the spot after the incident, threatened to resort to violent action against the chemist and drug authorities, found himself in a curious situation. The protesting locals demanded not only the immediate arrest of the erring chemists but also suspension of the Drug Inspector and Drug Controllor.

The Deputy Commissioner assured that he would take up the matter with the government and seek appropriate action against the officials of the Health Department. Singh informed that he had drawn-up a plan to hold meetings with the local residents and parents of addicts. The deputy commissioner also proposes to involve the police and drug officials in regular checking of the chemist shops and conduct surprise raids at restaurants and hotels where drugs are either sold clandestinely or consumed excessively.

Atleast three deaths due to drugs-abuse have been reported in last one year, in the area. The drug-addicts comprise a gang of nearly 30 youths in Sanjauli abusing drugs like corex, phensedhyl, spasmo-proxyvon, parvon-forte, etc freely sold over the counter by the chemists in the area, sources say. Besides Lakkar Bazar, a few restaurants on the Mall Road are also said to be the virtual dens for addicts.