Rayagada: Youths in Rayagada district are increasingly falling prey to sedatives like ‘Fortwin’ and ‘Phenergan’ injections which are used to cure sleeplessness, vomiting, headaches, and acute pain, sources said Thursday. They added that these two medicines have emerged as the main alternative for addicts. Both ‘Fortwin’ and ‘Phenergan’ are not available across the counter without a doctor’s prescription. This is because of the side effects that happen due to the medicines. However, the addicts have found a way to get the two drugs through various means.
Also, unscrupulous shopkeepers are ready to supply the medicines once they are promised a few extra bucks. The rampant sale of these two injections in complete violation of norms, has led to a spurt in their use in this district. The use of these two drugs is spreading now into the rural areas with people of the 20- 40 years age group falling prey to addiction. They are using insulin syringes to inject the drug into their body without realising that they are inviting a slow death.
According to an investigation conducted by Orissa POST the drug addicted youths in the industrial areas of this district and Muniguda towns are using ‘Fortwin’ and ‘Phenergan’ injections to satiate their urge as the two drugs are available at cheap rates. A 2ml vial of ‘Phenergan’ costs Rs 13.40, while the market price of ‘Fortwin’ is Rs 5.90. As a result, addicts in this district are turning to these districts to get a kick.
This has happened as the district Drug department has failed to curb its illegal sale by chemists. Drug Inspector Priyaranjan Nayak said that there is a restriction on the sale of these two injections. However, the lack of action on the part of the Drug department has only helped in the rampant sale of these two injections. A well-oiled racket is working behind the trade which is smuggling the injections to the district. The injections are easily available at the local chemist shops and the drug addicts are buying it from shops that are known to them. When contacted, medicine specialist Dr Suresh Kumar Dey working at the district headquarters hospital warned of the side effects the two drugs can have on the addicts. “Regular and rampant use of Fortwin’ and ‘Phenergan’ will definitely lead to serious health problems,” he informed.