Man dumps used syringes before DM, seeks help to quit 32-yr addiction ‘for sake of 2yo daughter’

Meerut: A dramatic scene unfolded at a public grievance hearing in Hapur when a 45-year-old man, allegedly struggling with drug addiction, approached district magistrate (DM) Abhishek Pandey, emptied a polythene bag containing dozens of used syringes and empty drug vials and pleaded for help to quit his decades-long addiction for the sake of his two-year-old daughter.The incident occurred during the weekly public grievance redressal day at the district headquarters on Monday. Dozens of residents who had gathered to submit their complaints were left stunned when the man suddenly walked up to the dais and emptied the bag. Visibly surprised, the DM looked at the pile and asked, "What is all this?"The man replied, "I have been addicted to these injections for the past 32 years. I started as a teenager.

I am tired of this life and I want to quit now for the sake of my two-year-old daughter. I don't want her to grow up seeing me like this. I just want a chance to live a normal life."He also told officials that several medical stores in his locality in the Garh Mukhteshwar area were selling injectable drugs without prescriptions, making them easily accessible to drug addicts."Anyone can walk into these shops and buy these injections.

Many people like me are using them. If these medicines were not so easily available, we might be able to stop," he said, adding that he had collected the used syringes and vials to show authorities the extent of his addiction and the ease with which such drugs could be obtained.Following the incident, the DM ordered an inquiry. After inspections, authorities sealed seven medical stores in the area and cancelled their licences for selling injectable drugs without valid prescriptions."This incident highlighted a serious issue. Selling such medicines without a doctor's prescription is illegal and dangerous," the DM said.He added that the administration would also focus on helping drug addicts through counselling and medical support. "The man who came forward has been referred to health experts and is undergoing counselling with a psychiatrist to help him overcome the addiction," the DM said.