Suicidesrelated to drug abuse and alcoholism saw 27% increase inAndhra Pradeshin 2020, compared to that of the previous year. Covid-19 is to be blamed as some people ended died by suicide for want of drugs and alcohol during the lockdown period in 2020.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report titled ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’ says 385 people including nine Women and one transgender committed suicide in Andhra Pradesh in 2020, due to drug abuse and alcohol addiction. In 2019, 302 people, including seven women ended their life because of drug abuse and alcoholism.
Though there is no reliable data on ganja (weed, hemp, cannabis) consumption in Andhra Pradesh, it is estimated that around 0.2 per cent people use cannabis products in the state. Some people use sedative drugs, LSD and a few others.
Experts in the Health department say curiosity, peer pressure and attempts to stimulate sexual desires are the key reasons for youngsters to get addicted to drugs such as ganja and alcohol in cities and towns. In Andhra Pradesh, every year, more people are joining the ranks of drug addicts. Drug abuse and alcoholism have been driving at least 250 to 300 persons, including a few women, to suicide every year in state, they added.