Covid-19 lockdown: 200% jump in calls from drug users, alcoholics

NEW DELHI: Distress calls from alcoholics and drug users on national helpline spiked by 200% during the coronavirus lockdown, triggering concern in the government to urgently help out these individuals across states.

The biggest reason for the outcry is the absence of alcohol because of closure of liquor shops and also the breakdown in the supply of narcotics owing to curbs on movement of people who act as mules. Another cause for irritation is the complete disappearance of the ubiquitous tobacco.

Though vanishing of common substances of abuse as well as hard narcotics would be seen as a welcome development, the government is not celebrating because it is pushing even mild users to the edge.

Raising eyebrows, the data collected by the social defence division of the ministry of social justice and empowerment shows that compared to an average of 90 calls on toll free number – 1800110031 between March 15-21, the number post