Tapentadol abuse among youths keeps Trichy police on toes
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By forging medical prescriptions, peddlers are purchasing the painkiller tablets online and get them delivered at doorsteps to sell the tablets targeting youths who are willing to pay a hefty sum to indulge in perilous intoxication.
The Tamil Nadu drug administration department said Tapentadol is not a banned drug but prescribed as a painkiller by doctors. However, since Feb, instances of Tapentadol abuse has been increasing.
Peddlers purchase a tablet at Rs 30 sell it at Rs 100 to Rs 350 based on the demand. Peddlers mostly using scooters and bikes target youths in secluded areas and public places close to educational institutions. "Youths say that the intoxication by injection of the diluted drug lasts for about six hours. Unlike ganja, Tapentadol abuse is not resulting in crimes, but youths are spoiling their health. Apart from consuming, some youths are becoming peddlers," a police officer said.
Most seizures involve bulk confiscation ranging from 50 to 7,000 tablets. The drug administration department said the Tapentadol tablets in circulation are mostly bought online. "There was one incident in which a pharmacy owner was involved. He was booked under the Goondas Act and his shop was sealed. The crackdown on online sales of the tablets has been intensified too," a senior officer from drug administration department told TOI.
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Recently, a youth's arm was amputated as he developed a severe infection while injecting the drug, the officer added.
"Continuous intake of Tapentadol will suppress the brain's function and result in behavioural changes showing high aggression. There are high risks of infections and blood clots too," said M A Aleem, neurologist and retired vice-principal of KAP Viswanatham Govt Medical College.
Police said the youths involved in sales and purchase of the painkiller tablet are booked and remanded under Section 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which attracts up to one year jail term if convicted.
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