Drug abuse-related suicides: Andhra Pradesh ranks sixth in India
Over 10,500 suicide cases attributed to drug abuse and alcohol were reported in 2021
By Newsmeter Network Published on 3 Sep 2022 9:30 AM GMT
Vijayawada: Suicides related to drug abuse and alcoholism have surged by 48 percent in Andhra Pradesh in 2021. NCRB-2021 data revealed that the total number of suicides due to drug abuse and alcohol addiction increased to 571 in 2021 from 385 in 2020. Andhra Pradesh stands at sixth place in drug and alcohol-related suicides.
Over 10,500 suicide cases attributed to drug abuse and alcohol were reported in 2021. Andhra Pradesh has accounted for over one death per day. Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala occupied the first five places in the country in the suicides of this category with 2,818, 1,634, 1,590, 1,319, and 902 respectively in 2021.
Psychiatrists say that Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a constant increase in such cases. They opined that people are pushed to the edge either by underlying mental conditions amplified by liquor or drugs such as cannabis. They said it could also be influenced by financial distress and family problems. Covid-19 has led to depression as many people have lost their livelihood. Youngsters addicted to drugs and liquor are prone to suicide. "Depression was the major reason for self-killing," said noted psychiatrist NN Raju.
"We have also observed that consumption of liquor and usage of drugs for long-term or large quantities can also cause substance-induced psychosis which can lead to suicide," added psychiatrists.
Police with the support of Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) personnel have been taking coordinated action against substance abuse among youngsters. "We are making our best efforts to break the supply chain of the drugs to mitigate the menace," said Vizag city police chief Ch Srikanth.
Key Points:
Vizag city reported 31 suicides and Vijayawada reported 3 suicides due to drug/liquor abuse in 2021.
Increased stress, boredom, losing livelihood, anxiety, and a few others have triggered an increase in the use of cannabis and others.
In 2019, 302 people including seven women ended their lives due to drug abuse and alcohol addiction in AP
Overconsumption of drugs/alcohol and difficulty in getting drugs/alcohol were also the reasons for the suicides.
AP government set up de-addiction centers at various places in the state.
