As the investigation into the recent car accident that claimed the life of a woman and injured seven others continues, a worrying trend has emerged in Ahmedabad. The accused, Rakshit Chaurasiya, a law student, is suspected of being under the influence of a drug when the incident occurred. This unfortunate event is just one of numerous cases of drug-related incidents reported in the city, which has been plagued by a surge in drug abuse over the past few years.
According to sources at the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB), Ahmedabad, a staggering 100 drug-related cases were reported between 2022 and 2024, with 232 individuals arrested. Mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant, accounted for the majority of cases, with 57 reported, while cannabis came in second with 15 cases.
Dr. Vishal Jethva, a senior resident at the Psychiatry Department at the GMERS Hospital in Sola, Ahmedabad, revealed that cannabis, MDMA, cough syrup, and injectable drugs are the most commonly used substances in the city. The de-addiction clinic at the hospital has seen a significant 19% increase in drug-related cases among individuals aged 20-35 in the last year, Dr. Jethva added.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data tabled in the Rajya Sabha in December last year showed a threefold increase in cases under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substance (NDPS) Act in Gujarat, from 150 in 2018 to 508 in 2022. In 2022 alone, agencies seized 817 liters of cough syrup and 96 kilograms of cannabis-based drugs in Ahmedabad city.
Several rehabilitation centers in the city have witnessed a significant rise in the number of patients seeking treatment. The Life Changing De-Addiction Centre, run by Project Director and Counselor Sundip Khuchara, saw a 143% increase in patients treated between 2023 and 2024-25, with the majority aged 20-35. Patients at the center are mostly addicted to weed, MDMA, and injectable drugs, which are easily available, according to Khuchara. The Live Life Rehab Centre has also seen a similar trend, with the number of patients increasing from 190 in the past to 260 in recent times.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Gyanender Singh Malik affirmed that regular raids are conducted to crack down on drug rackets. Amidst growing concerns over the drug menace, authorities are working to stem the tide of addiction and restore the city’s safety and well-being. The recent accident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of drug abuse, which demands immediate attention and collective action to tackle the issue effectively.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/de-addiction-clinics-in-ahmedabad-witness-rise-in-drug-related-cases-9902307/
Category : Ahmedabad,Cities
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Publish Date: 2025-03-24 05:44:00
