We have heard of all kinds of parties — Potluck parties, farm parties, rave parties and beach parties! Here’s the latest and most dangerous kind — Pharm Parties. These Pharm parties provide an excuse for drug abuse, where people get high on prescription drugs. These parties are an extension of a recent trend by teens where they use drugs to get high. This is a potluck of pharma drug consumption, and is growing dangerously. Recently, a man selling prescribed drugs for such parties was arrested by the narcotics bureau.
“We busted a call centre in which the accused was selling banned and prescription drugs to customers. Parents need to keep a watch over their children and the happenings around them. If anyone comes across any such parties, they should report to us immediately,” says S.K. Sinha, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, Bengaluru.
Children, mostly teenagers, get prescription drugs from home, mix up anti-inflammatory and anti-flu medicines, painkillers, even anti-depressants, and drugs of all kinds into a huge bowl along with alcohol. The result is a lethal cocktail. The biggest mistake parents make is assuming that their kids aren’t using this, or that they’re safe from these dangers!
“Every day my son would come home and talk to us about how other students from his school take or talk about alcohol and drugs. It’s a serious concern and schools should have some mechanism to handle such issues,” says Bina Mehta, whose son recently passed out from a high-profile international school at Jubilee Hills.
More and more middle and high school students know how to buy alcohol or prescription drugs. What’s more, high-profile schools are no longer immune from drugs on campus and schools prefer to keep such incidents away from enforcement agencies fearing their reputation. On condition of anonymity, another student from the same school, says, “There are students who take drugs and alcohol, but the school has been focusing on creating awareness. They have a psychologist to counsel students.”
Teens abusing prescription drugs may not be a new problem, but the concern now is the spiralling trend of these pharm parties.
Teens abusing prescription drugs may not be a new problem, but the concern now is the spiralling trend of these pharm parties. “Abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is not a new phenomenon in India. Parents need to be aware and cautious and ensure that medicine kept for legitimate purposes at home are not stolen and consumed by vulnerable children. Strict action needs to be taken against pharmacies selling such drugs without valid prescriptions,” says Madho Singh, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, New Delhi.
“Over the counter availability of prescription drugs, especially habit-forming medicines, is a crime under law. In Telangana, during my previous stint in the drug control administration, we took strict measures against the availability of over-the-counter prescription medicines. Almost all medical stores across the twin cities put up posters asking customers to bring their prescription along. I do agree there has been a laxity of late, and there is a stringent need to put back the control,” says Akun Sabharwal, Director, Prohibition and Excise.
There are many drugs which are commonly used for therapeutic purposes for ailments and yet have addictive properties. “Medications like these should not be dispensed without a valid prescription,” says Dr Hari Kishan Boorugu, Consultant Physician, Apollo Hospitals.
“It is the responsibility of the elders in the family to keep all drugs out of the reach of children. We see teenagers coming here with an overdose of various drugs, but I have not seen any recent splurge in such admissions,” explains Dr Hari Kishan.
Deadly combination
The most commonly abused drugs are Morphine, Ephedrine, Pseudo Ephedrine, Ketamine, Diazepam, Zolfresh, Alprazolam, Lorazepam, Codeine based cough syrup and Phensedyl, and when consumed with alcohol, these cocktails often lead to medical emergencies. When patients and medical professionals don’t know what exactly was taken, the ability to treat common overdoses becomes more dangerous. On how people know which drugs get them high, a student says, “It’s all there on the Internet.”
S.K. Sinha says, “There have been reports of abuse of prescription drugs such as Alprazolam, Diazepam, villium, cough syrups, etc. There are so many drugs that can cause a high. It’s diverted from retailers and wholesalers.”
This can lead to a disaster, not only for the youngster, but also for the family and the entire society, points out Dr Sandeep Lakhtakia, Gastroenterologist, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, adding, “Youth can get addicted to sedatives or neuro-stimulants, which are meant for older people. This can have serious social implications.”
In this context, the value systems in families need critical analysis. How are pleasures and celebrations interpreted? While pomp and show are the norms, weird manifestations of pleasures are beginning to show up.
Symptoms signifying drug association could include:
- Mood swings
- Weight loss
- Garbled speech or panic
- Imperative need of finances
