In Amritsar, those who returned from hell volunteer to help

PK Jaiswar in Amritsar

For 58-year-old, 'A' (name withheld on request), it all started when he was only nine years old. First it was bhang, then alcohol, and then, synthetic drugs. “My mother punched herself in her stomach, cursing god why she had to carry me in the womb.”

Today, 'A' sits in a group of drug addicts, not as a victim, but as a counsellor. He is part of Narcotics Anonymous (NA), a group that works as addiction recovery group, founded in 1953 in the US. He is celebrating his “22nd birthday” — the day when he last had drugs. 

Things were so bad for him that one day his wife along with their daughter decided to end life, fed up as they were by his addiction and resultant daily clashes. “A neighbour had sold off his house over the same problem. The very idea of financial penury and the cumulated effect on children had frightened me,” he tells the group. 

“The law sees drug addiction as a crime, society terms it as evil and religious heads describe it as a sin. More than anything else, addiction is a disease that needs everyone's help for cure,” he says. 

Similar is the story of 'B'. He is in 17th year of his recovery period. He is now a struggling actor and wants to make some name in Punjab's thriving film industry. 

Dr Jaswinder Singh, an anaesthetist, has written two books of short stories highlighting rampant drug abuse. He says NA meetings across the globe have helped thousands of people to keep off drugs. He has treated many youths who connected with the group. 

There are several people in Punjab who have gone through the agony and are coming forward to fight drug dependence. Deepak, a local resident, does not conceal his identity. “I want victims of drug addiction to make up their mind to kick the habit. These people need motivation so that they return safely from the drug trap,” he said. A wholesale dealer in medicines, he fell victim to heroin addiction and lost all his earnings. 

Deepak counsels such patients at Swami Vivekanand De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre at Government Medical College in Amritsar. He is a ‘peer educationist.’ 

Young Navtej Singh is yet another example of selfless service. He along with his mother runs an NGO Nashiyan Virudh Lok Jagriti Sanstha. Belonging to an Army family of Sudhar Raiputa village, he says he has the spirit to fight drug addiction. He, too, has been associated with Swami Vivkanand De-addiction Centre for several years, persuading the affected youth from rural areas to join the centre. “My family supports the cause. We keep aside a part of our earnings for our mission to create awareness.” He was honoured at the Independence Day celebrations for his contribution. 

Dr PD Garg, head Psychiatry department in Government Medical College, says NGOs and self-help groups play a vital role in the treatment of drug patients. “Regular counselling is a vital part of the treatment. Involvement of families, friends and teachers is necessary,” says Dr Garg. These NGOs work as link workers who identify drug users and bring them to the hospital for treatment.