First victim to undergo rehab for abusing deadliest drug says tablet left him mentally and physically drained
First victim to undergo rehab for abusing deadliest drug says tablet left him mentally and physically drained
He belonged to a rich family, but stole cash from home to satisfy his cravings.
Murtaza Nissar (17, name changed), a resident of Kolkata, used to consume 10 tablets of Yaba every day and spent Rs 3,000u00a0 per day on it.
The drug is four times stronger than Ecstasy and is imported from Thailand and Myanmar.
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"It aroused intense sexual feelings in me and I would often call my girlfriend home to have sex," recalls Murtaza.
It'S deadly and has now landed on Indian shores. Yaba, a new psychotropic drug, is available at Rs 250 per tablet only if you are well connected. It is imported from Thailand and Myanmar.
A combination of methamphetamine and caffeine makes it four times stronger than Ecstasy tablets.
In Thailand, the place of its origin, the drug is called Crazy Medicine or Nazi Speed.
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"Yaba users experience an intense burst of energy, followed by increased activity, decreased appetite and a general sense of well being," said Dr Yusuf Merchant, head of Drug Abuse Information Rehabilitation and Research Centre (DAIRRC).
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Once the effects wear off, the user 'crashes' experiencing prolonged periods of sleep and depression. Overdose of the drug can be dangerous.
Not a role model
Murtaza Nissar (17, name changed), a resident of Kolkata and the first person in a rehab centre for overdosing on Yaba, is testimony to the above statements.
Murtaza got addicted to Yaba after his brother introduced him to the drug. It led to severe physical and mental trauma. Murtaza is now undergoing rehab on the outskirts of Mumbai. He narrates his plight to MiD DAY.
Rich Brat
"I was 10 when I was addicted to substances that gave me a high. I started with cough syrups. From consuming one bottle a day, I went on to have four bottles.
Within a year, I was hooked on to brown sugar. My elder brother Rafiq (name changed), got brown sugar at Rs 100 for 25 grams.
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"Brown sugar gave me a kick stronger than any of the cough syrups. I began spending my pocket money on these substances and even stole cash from home.
My addiction resulted in me dropping out of school when I was appearing for my Std XI at the age of 16.
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Deadliest Drug
"Last year, Rafiq handed me Yaba and said it was the deadliest drug. The small, reddish pink tablet had 'WY' written on it and smelt like vanilla.
Each pill contains 30 per cent methamphetamine mixed with caffeine.
"After taking the tablet, I found myself on a high that was unparalleled. It also aroused intense sexual feelings in me and I would often call my girlfriend home to have sex.
"I became addicted to Yaba and started consuming nearly 10 tablets every day. I spent Rs 3,000 on the drug. I gave up eating and went from 98 kg to 76 kg in eight months.
I began feeling irritated and would get annoyed easily when I did not take the drug. I had no control over my senses. I began having illusions.
It was then that my father got to know that Rafiq and I were on drugs.
Recovery
"While I was brought to a rehabilitation centre near Mumbai, my brother was sent to a detoxification clinic
in Kolkata.
"My brother is now cured and is in the US pursuing higher studies. It has been over six months since I have been in the rehabilitation centre.
I want to start life afresh go back to my studies and to the USA to join a football club there."
What is Yaba?
Yaba, a new psychotropic drug is available at Rs 250 per tablet, only if you are well connected. Itu00a0 is imported from Thailand and Myanmar.
A combination of methamphetamine and caffeine makes it four times stronger than Ecstasy tablets. Yaba comes in the size of a pencil eraser and is usually crushed and snorted.
The tablets come in flavours like grape, orange or vanilla. The drug is widely used at rave and techno parties.
Inviting Death
Yaba causes rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, damages blood vessels in the brain and can lead to a stroke. An overdose can cause hyperthermia convulsions, and even death.
Deadly Drugs
Heroin
Inject, sniff, smoke, silver burn
Quantity: nearly 1 gram
Cost*: Rs 60 to Rs 100
Destroys body within: 10 to
15 years
Cocaine
Sniff, added to gutka or pan
Quantity: nearly 1 gram
Cost: Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000
Destroys body within: 7 years
Ecstasy
Tablet
Quantity: nearly 0.5 mg to u00a02 mg
Cost: Rs 500 to Rs 1,500
Destroys body within: 3 years
Yaba
Tablet form
Quantity: nearly 0.5mg to 2mg
Cost: Rs 80 to Rs 200
Destroys body within: 1 year
LSD
Liquid
Quantity: one drop
Cost: Rs 500 to Rs 1,000
Destroys body within: 5 years
*All price ranges are subject tou00a0 the quality of the drug.
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