I know about this since a long time now. Long enough to think it is not important. Or may be insigificant. There are many things which are not right with Punjab or Punjabi community world over. We dont think about it. We dont talk about it. We dont even want to mention it in public dialogue.
My grandfather used to tell me about "Apheemchees", village folk who were so addicted to the naturally grown apheem, that they had lost their senses. Elderly men and even women were addicted to apheem, as the powers of the drug to cinstantly relieve all pain and loneliness, which often plagued the elderly as they waited for news from their kids settled outside, often illegally.
The problem is now more grave because of multiple reasons.
One, the form of drug abuse is now much more lethal. We are talking about LSD, cocain and assorted pills like ecstasy. These started to enter Punjab in the 80s, as a measure to increase militancy in Punjab. Origin is Pakistan. It is simply impossible for the entire value chain to exist illegally in India. My belief is that the growth happens in Afganistan, the processing and packaging happens in Pakistan. There are several ways through which these drugs end up in Punjab.
As evidence i dont have to rely on stats. My close friend is a doctor in Punjab, in one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in Chandi. He almost gave up his practice one day. That day he had stood helpless and seen over 4 patients die, because of drug abuse. All of them were in the 20 to 25 age group. All of them were Sikh. All of them were farmers from remote villages. Why them?
Two, the age group is getting younger. Kids as young as 8 are known to be on drugs. Most affected group is the teenagers. Why are they being targetted? Who is selling drugs to them? If the reports are true, 80% kids in Punjab have access to drugs. Why is the police sleeping over it? Why are political leaders sleeping over it?
Third, it is no longer a question of morality, only money counts. The huge stakes in the drug trade have ensured that no one complains, no one listens, no one reports, no one dies and no one is mourned. Atleast Officially.
Initially, i believe that the drug trade could have been a strategy for ISI to boost and sponsor terrorism in Punjab, but once the addiction sets in and the business starts booming, i think the business has taken its own speed now.
What can we do about it?
Talk about it. Spread Awareness. Make sure people know that this is a grave problem. Let them react. Make this appeal viral. Force them to react. If you are a celebrity, you are a critical support this mission needs right now.
Watch this documentary on the drug abuse in Punjab...
http://vimeo.com/19815617
My grandfather used to tell me about "Apheemchees", village folk who were so addicted to the naturally grown apheem, that they had lost their senses. Elderly men and even women were addicted to apheem, as the powers of the drug to cinstantly relieve all pain and loneliness, which often plagued the elderly as they waited for news from their kids settled outside, often illegally.
The problem is now more grave because of multiple reasons.
One, the form of drug abuse is now much more lethal. We are talking about LSD, cocain and assorted pills like ecstasy. These started to enter Punjab in the 80s, as a measure to increase militancy in Punjab. Origin is Pakistan. It is simply impossible for the entire value chain to exist illegally in India. My belief is that the growth happens in Afganistan, the processing and packaging happens in Pakistan. There are several ways through which these drugs end up in Punjab.
As evidence i dont have to rely on stats. My close friend is a doctor in Punjab, in one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in Chandi. He almost gave up his practice one day. That day he had stood helpless and seen over 4 patients die, because of drug abuse. All of them were in the 20 to 25 age group. All of them were Sikh. All of them were farmers from remote villages. Why them?
Two, the age group is getting younger. Kids as young as 8 are known to be on drugs. Most affected group is the teenagers. Why are they being targetted? Who is selling drugs to them? If the reports are true, 80% kids in Punjab have access to drugs. Why is the police sleeping over it? Why are political leaders sleeping over it?
Third, it is no longer a question of morality, only money counts. The huge stakes in the drug trade have ensured that no one complains, no one listens, no one reports, no one dies and no one is mourned. Atleast Officially.
Initially, i believe that the drug trade could have been a strategy for ISI to boost and sponsor terrorism in Punjab, but once the addiction sets in and the business starts booming, i think the business has taken its own speed now.
What can we do about it?
Talk about it. Spread Awareness. Make sure people know that this is a grave problem. Let them react. Make this appeal viral. Force them to react. If you are a celebrity, you are a critical support this mission needs right now.
Watch this documentary on the drug abuse in Punjab...
http://vimeo.com/19815617
No comments:
Post a Comment