Hyderabad: In a shocking revelation, hundreds of students from top international schools and colleges in Hyderabad have been identified as regular customers of the drug racket, which was busted by the Telangana Excise Department. The investigations has left parents worried, as school going kids, as young as 8th or 9th standard, were found addicted to LSD or Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, also popularly known as “mood-changing chemical”. School going children are spending money up to Rs 3,000, to get high on drugs.
The excise department has issued advisory notices to 26 schools and 27 colleges, where it was found that there were sizable number of users. The advisory mentions the kind of symptoms, like errant behavior or a particular group of youngsters to watch out for. Also the schools have been advised to monitor shops in the vicinity and sensitize students. Appeals have been made to parents to monitor the cash and card transactions of their children.
In the crackdown, police have arrested 10 youngsters, mostly B.Tech and MBA graduates, who had been supplying high-end narcotics, especially LSD, to children who seemed to be easy target. In the raids, the officials have seized 800 units of LSD, market value of which may go up to Rs 80 lakhs.
Concerned with the trend, Akun Sabarwal, Director, Excise Department told CNN News 18, “Lot of time they get into substance abuse out of curiosity and peer pressure. We have spoken to about 40 students, who were picked when they were procuring from peddlers. Peer pressure is not merely limited to friends in schools colleges, but with technology – groups on wats app and telegram,have extended the peer pressure on internet.”
“Usually its one person who opens the window, and others just follow. Its a small group on social networking sites. These technologically advanced youngsters, through dark web on internet purchase and supply drugs”, he added.
After shocking and disturbing details emerging from the racket busted, the government has planned a meeting with principals of about 80 schools in Hyderabad on July 14.
No consumer has been arrested till now, as they are minors, even though its legal offence under Section 22 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act. The government is planning to take up various awareness campaigns and has even released a toll free number.
Radhika Acharya, a clinical psychologist tells us that the rising trend substance abuse by youngsters is not surprising. “I have been dealing with such cases for many years. There are young kids who have been coming for counselling. Main reason is disturbed families and easy access to money with kids these days. In busy life, parents try compensate their time with money. Use of drugs reduces their learning ability and impacts their personality. Need of hour is counselling and emotional support to our children.”
The expose has left parents across Hyderabad worried. Aravinda Jata, a parent and member of Hyderabad school parents association said, “We feel school children across city can be victims. Through our association also we requesting parents to be more alert, track activities of children using smart phones and how they are spending pocket money. We are looking at government also to create some awareness programs for parent, teachers and students. We will give representation to government to take stern action in this regard so that drug menace can be ended.”
Stressing on the need for action, Achyuth Rao, Child Rights Activist said, “Earlier in the city we raised issue of Hukkah pens being sold. For Drug mafia children are easy target. They take advantage of children and make money out of their innocence. We hope this time government and police will act tougher. Children are under lot of pressure, and they want to get rid of regular stress. To ease out, they use wrong means, if not guided properly. Its a concern all over India.”
The high profile list of clients using these drugs, also include names from entertainment industry, large number of youngsters working in MNCs and even people in hospitality business. the Excise department says after schools and colleges, they will reach out to MNCs where young employees are also being targeted.
Source: News18