Opiates among the masses When drug-use turns deadly

Drug addiction is a silent killer, accounting for some 1200 suicides in Karnataka in 2020 alone. The state also reported the second-highest number of drug related suicides in the country over the last three years. The pandemic shut down supply and addicts took their own lives in desperation. The supposed aura of glamour that surrounds party drugs is a great lure for students and working professionals alike. There still isn’t enough awareness on the dangers of drugs or deaddiction programs, reports NISCHITH N.

The addiction creeps up on them. Young people are lured into the world of drugs so subtly that they don’t know when they have crossed the line from recreation to a full-blown habit. At first, they get it for free, or for such a low price that even students can afford to spend their pocket money on what they believe to be a little bit of harmless fun. They want to get high, to stay awake at night or just try something new with their friends at a party. Before they know it, their bodies demand the drugs constantly and the generous ‘friends’ who first gave it to them are now dangerous extortionists.

Drug use is a leading cause of suicides in Karnataka, with 1200 deaths last year, according to a study by the Central Government. The study includes young people who use psychoactive substances like alcohol, cannabis, amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD and cocaine. A majority of the participants had used at least one of the six drugs to fulfill 11 out of 18 measured substanceuse functions. Narcotics have accounted for over 1000 suicide deaths last year alone. Suicide also ranks in the top five causes of death among youth aged between 15 and 25 years.

Suicidal tendencies arise in a number of ways, through the contribution of several risk factors and a lack of protective factors. Substance use and abuse as a factor occurs more among youth and adults, as compared to older people. People between the ages of 15 and 29 are most at risk, with suicide factors ranging from depression, abuse and drug use.

The prospect of suicide is thought to arise in a number of ways, including through the contribution of several risk factors and a lack of protective factors.

“The abuse of alcohol and narcotics can contribute to suicidal behaviour in several ways,” says Prashanth (name changed), who works at a rehab centre. People who are dependent on substances are prone to depression and are “also likely to have social and financial problems.” People who are prone to “impulsive or high-risk behaviours that result in self-harm are more likely to gravitate towards drug use,” Prashanth explains. During the lockdown, he adds, “Trade became difficult and this resulted in many people, usually younger, committing suicide.”

According to the survey, 8,500 people committed suicides due to drug addictions across the country last year. 1,200 of these are from Karnataka. The survey explores the reasons for suicide – drugs and alcohol form the highest risk factor, accounting for 6.5 per cent of the total deaths in the state. Failed relationships make up 4.5 per cent, while marriage troubles account for 5.5 per cent.

“Suicide is often viewed primarily as a mental health issue, resulting from affective disorders like depression,” says Dr Vikas, who works at a private hospital. “However, there is a strong body of evidence showing that suicide and suicidal behaviour are consistently tied to substance use disorders. The results from a meta-analysis among adults indicate that the risk of suicide is elevated among individuals with addictions,” he explains. Withdrawals, caused by not having access to the drug, can be so severe that they think “suicide is preferable to staying alive.”

Data from the last three years puts Maharashtra in the lead, with 6,745 drug related suicides. Karnataka is in second place, with 3,840 and Tamil Nadu reported 3,452.

The situation was exacerbated by drug shortages, caused by stricter police crackdowns, increased demand and the lockdown.

People with addictions struggled to cope with the withdrawal as peddlers, who were stuck with stocks they couldn’t sell during the lockdown, grew increasingly desperate. Smugglers and their buyers were more willing to take risks – the NCB and other local state police seized 13, 69,944 kg and 11, 04,231 liters of Narcotics drugs across the country.

Shradha Shejekar, Consultant– Psychiatry, Aster RV Hospital

Broadly speaking, turning towards drug use can be caused by a variety of reasons, including the lack of appropriate physical and emotional coping mechanisms to handle various life situations. For instance, a person could turn to drugs to dope with anxiety or depression, or to deal with a p