THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With state drugs control facing shortage of manpower and infrastructure facilities, those smuggling in prescription drugs including psycho pharmaceutical drugs are having a field day especially in areas bordering Tamil Nadu. The problem is more acute in border districts Thiruvnanthapuram, Kollam, Idukki and Palakkad. Shortage of manpower and mobile units has hit enforcement activities badly. Even big districts like Idukki and Palakkad which are the main points of such illegal sales, are without vehicles. The drug inspectors have to travel by buses for hours for carrying out inspections.
State Drugs Controller Ravi S. Menon said the department was trying to closely monitor the sale of drugs in notorious areas. In the event of huge sales action is taken against distributors and retailers. Many chemists’ shops are selling anti-depressant and drugs which provide slight intoxication without proper prescription. By consuming heavy dozes of these medicines for getting the “kick” the abusers are in fact putting their health and lives at risk. Most commonly misused are Alprazolam drugs which are available on various brand names. Drug addicts, alcoholics and even school children have been found to be misusing this drug which is known to cause euphoric effect. It is also mixed with alcohol to get a “high.”
Pain killers with narcotic effect especially those required for cancerous pain are also being widely misused. Psychoactive or psycho pharmaceutical drugs which cause changes in brain function resulting in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness and behaviour, are also being illegally supplied in many parts of the state. “Regular raids are being conducted on chemist shops to examine stocks. In the event of wide disparities, action is initiated against the shop owners. Shops don’t insist on prescription slips which is mandatory for dispensing Schedule ‘H’ drugs,’’ said Mr Menon. The misuse of Codeine cough syrup which causes drowsiness, light headedness, dizziness and sedation, is also on the rise. The drugs control department is trying for joint exercise along with Tami Nadu counterparts to trace the original source of illegal bulk supplies along the border.
