Misuse of freely- available, cheap chemical alarming . Ill- effects range from lack of concentration to death
OUR STAFF REPORTER BHOPAL
Street children in the state capital are getting addicted to whitener sniffing.
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Some have even lost their lives due to this addiction.
These children and rag pickers can be easily seen inhaling the substance at Bhopal railway station, Habibganj station and bus stands and even in market places in the city.
Some of these children are also involved in pickpocketing in trains and mini buses. After sniffing the liquid whitener applied on a piece of cloth or a handkerchief, the addict feels dizzy and then is in the other world for a while. Even nail polish removers, cough syrups and pain balms are also being used as drugs.
In the city, apart from stationery shops, whitener is also available at pan shops for just Rs 15 to Rs 20.
The most surprising fact is that even some school children and college- going students are said to be addicted to sniffing this substance.
Initially, they start it as a fun but later get addicted towards sniffing whitener.
City co- ordinator of a NGO of Bhopal, alt39 Towards Action and Learningalt39 ( TAAL) Jamuna Farkale said that alt39 We have come across 18 such addicts cases during de- addiction and slum placement camp organised by our NGO”. It is a serious matter if a child continues with sniffing the whitener for four years or more years continuously.
There is a probability of addict childs death. She also added that children with addiction of marijuana, brown sugar and other contrabands can be easily caught by parents but there is no problem with whitener.
Besides officials from labour, railway police and education departments, several NGOs working on child rights have admitted drug addiction among children.
Dr Tiwari, Medical expert of Navjeevan de- addiction and rehabilitation Centre at Shyamla Hills said that this addiction damages the respiratory and digestive systems of the addicted children.
Besides lack of concentration, tumors, involuntary flicking of muscles, constant blinking of eyes, difficulty in speaking and sometimes, sudden death are other serious ill affects of this addiction.
Some NGOs in the city have also demanded that the state government should ban the sale of these substances.
