Ganja addiction up after MD’s ban: Experts

Addiction to hashish and marijuana is on the rise among youngsters, after Mephodrone (MD) was included in the list of prohibited drugs, people working with rehabilitation of drug addicts said on National Anti-drug Addiction Day, which was observed on Sunday.

Though the menace of MD has been brought under control, others options are easily available, with the most popular being ganja.

Sanjay Joshi, senior counsellor, Krupa Foundation De-addiction Centre, said, “Nowadays youngster are falling prey to massive temptations such as ganja or hashish. Availability of MD became scarce after it was included in the NDPS Act.”

Dr Ali Gabrani, psychiatrist, Masina hospital, said, “MD was included last year in the NDPS Act as it had created a menace in the city and its outskirts. But after that... youngsters are falling for drugs such as heroin, charas, cocaine, LSD, cough syrups and opium.”

Parents also agreed on the rise of ganja. Shabir Shahpurwala, a parent, said, “My son was addicted to ganja. I tried to rectify it but finally had to get him to a de-addiction centre.”