Home / Health / Punjab Village Battles Chitta: A Mother's Plea
Punjab Village Battles Chitta: A Mother's Plea
27 Sep
Summary
- A 22-year-old died after a decade-long battle with heroin addiction.
- His mother lamented that 'chitta' is as easily available as sugar.
- The family spent thousands on treatment, but the addiction persisted.
In Punjab's Moga district, the village of Jalalabad is grappling with the tragic death of 22-year-old Jaskaran Singh, who succumbed to a decade-long struggle with heroin addiction. His mother poignantly described the widespread availability of 'chitta,' the local term for heroin, stating it is as accessible as sugar in their community.
The family's attempts to save Jaskaran involved significant financial strain, including taking out loans for his treatment at a private de-addiction centre for six months. However, he relapsed after returning home, highlighting the persistent challenge of addiction.
Jaskaran, the elder of two brothers, reportedly resorted to selling family possessions, including his mother's clothes, to fund his habit. The family now calls for stringent action against drug suppliers in the area and greater transparency regarding how the supply chain operates.
While the family attributes Jaskaran's death to drug use, police are awaiting post-mortem results to establish the official cause of death. His mother’s plea extends beyond her personal tragedy, urging authorities to address the drug problem affecting many other young men in the village.
