Punjab tops in drug deaths; Five overdose cases in three days

Punjab has reported five suspected drug overdose deaths in three days, the highest in the country, reported TOI. Four men from Lakho Ke Behram village in Ferozepur district died within two days, followed by another death in Hoshiarpur on Monday, as per the report.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau ( NCRB), Punjab recorded 89 drug-related deaths in 2023, the highest nationwide. While lower than 144 cases in 2022, the figure still places the state ahead of Madhya Pradesh (85) and Rajasthan (84).

In Ferozepur, 26-year-old Raman Singh died on Tuesday, followed by three others- Medu Singh (21), Rajat Singh, and Sandeep Singh- on Wednesday morning. Their deaths have left families grieving and the border village, about 10 km from Pakistan, in shock.

Relatives said the victims had struggled with addiction. “We admitted him to rehab five times. But he relapsed," TOI quoted Raman’s father, Bachitar Singh, as saying.

Medu’s family recalled how he sold household belongings to buy drugs, while Rajat’s father, Sukhdev Singh, said, “My son was the backbone of our family. Drugs have snatched him away.” Gurjit Singh, Sandeep’s brother, alleged that narcotics were easily available, saying they are delivered “right at the doorstep.”

(With inputs from TOI)