Ludhiana: Once addicts, now drug crusaders

LUDHIANA: Hakam Singh, a 27-year-old resident of Gopalpur village, was in a complete mess after he got hooked on drugs in 2018. Getting the habit from fellow addicts in the area, it was a very difficult task for him to get out of that circle. But Hakam did not give up. After a fight of more than a year, he won his battle against drugs.
But despite his victory, Hakam knew that many like him were still trapped in the vicious cycle of drug abuse.

So, after two years of his reformation, the former addict joined a war against drug abuse in the area, considered as a drug hot spot. Hakam is now an active member of a group ‘Nasha Virodhi Lok Sangharsh Committee’ that has been fighting the menace in around 40 villages of Koom Kalan area.
Hakam is not the only one, there are many former addicts in Ludhiana district especially in Koom Kalan, Samrala and Raikot areas who have donned the role of warriors against use of narcotics and addiction in their areas.
“I started taking drugs after some friends wanted me to taste it. It was the worst life as I took drugs frequently and I would be transported to some other world. But, once the effect of the drug went away, it used to be difficult to think of anything else, but drugs as I had become completely dependent on the same,” said Hakam Singh.
“When my family came to know about it, they were really upset with me. Later, they took several steps to bring me out of addiction,” he added.
Hakam’s father Gyan Singh Mand, block president of a kisan union, said, “As he is my only son, it came as a shock when we got to know about his addiction. The first thing we did was to stop giving him money and kept a close watch on him. Later we got him treatment for addiction and by the grace of God he came out as a ‘free’ person. Now he is married and helps me in farming on our 10 acres land.”
“Sharing a strong bond with youths in the area, he provides information about drug trade to Nasha Virodhi Lok Sangharsh Committee which is fighting against drug abuse in the area. He also tells his friends and acquaintances about the dark side of addiction.”
Among others who are now fighting against drug abuse in the area is 25-year-old Harinder Singh of neighbouring Chaunta village. The village has earned the “tag” of being drug capital and has witnessed many suspected drug overdose deaths.
“I have two brothers and sisters and we are into farming. In 2012, a neighbour introduced me to ‘chitta’ (drugs) and I started sucking it with a pipe. After taking chitta, I would feel numb and at the same time I would feel as if I have a fever. I started having sleep-related issues. From 2014 to 2016, I lived in a dera where the problem was checked to a certain extent. I felt that I would die if I continued to take drugs. So in 2020, village elder Bhajan Singh motivated me to leave drugs. Later, I got treatment for addiction,” said Harinder Singh.
“I have left drugs for around 2 years now. I have a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter. I am also working with a committee against drug abuse,” he said.
He said addicts are cursed in society and their families feel that they should not have been born.
Among a silent crusader against drugs is a former addict from a village near Jagraon.
“Having suffered the worst due to drug abuse, I decided to give up chitta. I had lost confidence due to addiction problems and even my family had to bear the taunts from acquaintances. There was a time when I thought I would never come out of this mess and would die eventually, but then the fear of death and the future of my aged parents changed me altogether. Now after taking treatment for my addiction, I am back to normal life and work,” said the 45-year-old former addict who didn’t want to be named.
“Having seen the devastation due to drugs, I am the first person to tell those addicts who meet me to give it up as it destroys them and their families. Also, whenever I come to know about any peddler roaming around in our area, I silently share the information with prominent villagers who then inform the police.”
Meanwhile, Nasha Virodhi Lok Sangharsh Committee members say that there are many such examples wherein former addicts are helping in turning the tide against drug abuse in various areas. It claims to run anti-drug campaigns in around 80 villages in various areas of Koom Kalan, Machhiwara and Samrala areas of Ludhiana district.
“There have been more than 50 suspected drug overdose deaths in the area. So, after witnessing such a mayhem due to drugs, we decided to start this fight against drug trade here. Besides, we try to get treatment for the addicts. Though many addicts do return to drugs after leaving the same for some time, there are a few whose willpower makes a big difference in leaving addiction completely and help us in the fight against drugs. They provide us information about the peddlers, how they sell, how they transport, and which spots they normally prefer. We have got a WhatsApp group to share such leads. The information is passed on to police which arrest such peddlers and suppliers,” said Amarnath, a resident of Koom Kalan and a member of the committee.
He said now there has been some sort of check on drugs in the area as compared to yesteryears when those were sold openly.
Box 1: People fighting drugs doing great service: Ex-DGP
Shashi Kant, former DGP, said very few addicts come out of drugs. As per a study, around 60-65% return to drugs. “It is commendable that few addicts are coming out of addiction and they are living as an example for others to fight the menace. The good aspect is that there are examples wherein former addicts are even helping take the fight to the next level,” he said, adding that more addicts will come out of drugs if they get employment and there is social acceptance of such people.
A strong comeback after losing everything in 20 years
Parminder Singh, 40, a former addict, sold his family land, house, domestic articles, and even lost his parents before he came to his senses and gave up drugs.
A resident of Koom Kalan area who was hooked on drugs for 20 years and came out of addiction seven months ago, Parminder said around 2001, he started his journey with opium.
“After that I shifted to smack. In 2012, I started taking heroin. By the time I left drugs about seven months ago, I had lost almost everything — 2-acre land, houses, household articles etc. Because of my addiction problem, my mother Manjit Kaur also died about four years ago and my father Sohan Singh one-and-a-half-years ago. All known people, including my wife, were fed up with me. My turning point came when I had lost almost everything. I was worried what will happen to my 5-year-old son if I die of addiction,” said the former addict. “After that, I decided to come out of it. I went to my sister’s place in Khanna and got medicine for de-addiction from an outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) centre. I feel good that I have come out of hell.”
The former addict said that he has not completely snapped contact with those with whom he would take drugs and they do meet. “But I tell them to leave drugs to save their lives. They are happy that I have come out of daldal (marsh) even as they are not able to do so. They get motivated after seeing me. I give the same advice to people at my workplace (electronic store). Even in the village, I do tell people about how drugs destroy lives,” said the former addict-turned-anti-drug activist. He said even as addicts have benefited from OAAT centres, the focus should be on counselling such persons.
The former addict said police should stop the supply of drugs which otherwise make it to the youths easily.
“Those who have left drugs can be involved in counselling work and motivate others to give up drugs,” said Parminder Singh.
His cousin said Parminder had had a drug overdose twice and they had to save him by giving him antidote. He said Parminder had sold almost everything — gas cylinders, doors, inverter, beds, clothes of his son — before he woke up."