The Hindu : New Delhi News : Substance abuse cases on the rise around Holi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 15, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Substance abuse cases on the rise around Holi

Staff Reporter

Anti-depressants, sedatives, `bhang', `charas', marijuana, cocaine and alcohol see a brisk sale during the season

NEW DELHI: It isn't just colours that Delhiites get high on each Holi, rampant substance abuse is a `festival hazard' that has been registering an upswing over the years in the Capital.

Figuring high on the abuse list, substances like anti-depressants, sedatives and the more popular `bhang', `charas', marijuana, cocaine and alcohol see a brisk sale during the season. With little awareness about the adverse effects of the mind and mood altering drugs, physicians warn about the heavy price that city dwellers have to pay for celebrating the festival.

While dermatologists and ophthalmologists have campaigned for a safe Holi, advising the common man to keep away from colours that use industrial dyes and engine oils, there is little awareness about substance abuse during this season.

"Substance abuse does register an increase each festival season, but we have several cases that come in during Holi. Easy availability of drugs, high stress lives and lack of proper information about the effects of the use ensure that people of all age groups -- young to middle aged and older persons -- indulge in the use of these drugs," said Delhi Medical Association president K. K. Aggarwal.

However, warning that drugs are not just abused but are also being misused by people he added:

"These substances cause mood lift, a feeling of increased empathy, peacefulness and relaxation. The idea is to get high on the occasion and enhance the sense of enjoyment. `Bhang' for example is a recreational drug and is classified as a milder version of club drug. This group of drugs gives you a high but the user doesn't remember the time and events that occurred when he/she was under its influence. We get several cases of this kind during Holi season. Also accidents caused due to over abuse of mind and mood altering substance is common."

The problems according to physicians aren't related only to a certain age group. "We get cases of accidents, injuries due to fights and substances abuse. Festival seasons register an increased abuse and Holi is a festival that registers extensive abuse," said Indian Medical Association (Delhi) secretary general Vinay Aggarwal.

Doctors have also warned about the ill effects of colours, which contain hazardous and toxic chemicals that can affect your skin, eyes and even your lungs.

Said consultant dermatologist at G.M. Modi Hospital Anil Kumar Malik: "Blue colour dyes can cause dermatitis resulting in swollen, reddened and itchy skin. Red colour that has a base of mercuric sulphite is highly toxic and the black paste can lead to eruption of allergic reactions on sensitive skins. Gulal contains heavy metals like lead, chromium, nickel and cadmium."

Speaking about the need to protect the eyes, ophthalmologist at G.M. Modi Hospital Purnima Sood said: "Green contains copper sulphite that can cause eye allergy, puffiness and alarming consequences if aid is not received urgently. Over exposure to colour can cause conjunctivitis and eye irritation."

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