'Max drug patients in Pb users of opium, poppy husk, smack'

Maximum number of patients of drug addiction in Punjab are users of intoxicants like opium, smack, poppy husk and brown sugar, even as there are no reliable estimates available about the prevalence of the problem in the state, PGIMER experts have said.
"We are receiving maximum number of patients (for treatment) who have used opium, smack, poppy husk, brown sugar in Punjab. The number of such patients is very large who are coming to us," PGIMER Chandigarh, Professor Psychiatry, Dr Ajit Awasthi said here today.
Punjab government has roped in experts from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) to advise the state government regarding treatment of drug addiction and rehabilitation of the addicts.

A day before the ruling party SAD's proposed sit-in against drug smuggling near international borders, PGIMER experts today held a media briefing regarding drug de-addiction.
On this occasion, Punjab's Health secretary Vini Mahajan and Dr K K Talwar, an Advisor to Punjab government for Medical Education and Research were also present.
Asked about the prevalence of drug abuse in Punjab, Awasthi said there are no reliable estimates available which could throw light on the extent of drug abuse in the state.

"There are no reliable estimates available so far to what extent this (drug abuse) problem is in Punjab. I am saying with the full sense of responsibility," he said.

He further rejected the contention that 70 per cent youth in Punjab were addicted to drugs.
"70 per cent of Punjab's youth are addicts was a wrong interpretation of a study," said Awasthi, who has been associated with the Punjab government for the past more than 2 years.
About two years ago, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had claimed seven out of ten youths in Punjab had a drug problem which had triggered a controversy with the ruling Akali Dal asking how the Congress leader came to this "mathematical conclusion" on drug addiction in the state.
Asked about drug patients being treated, Awasthi said around 3.30 lakh patients had been treated on OPD basis, while 11,656 patients had been treated as indoor patients from June 19, 2014 till December 15, 2014.

However, Awasthi said a comprehensive study has been proposed to be conducted which would give exact picture of drug users in Punjab.