But despite his victories, Hakam knew that many people like him were still trapped in a vicious cycle of drugs.
Hakam Singh (in a blue T-shirt) of Gopalpur village with members of Anti-Nasha Sangharsh Samiti and other villagers
So, two years after his reformation, the former addict joins the war on drug abuse in an area that is considered a drug hot spot. Hakam is now an active member of the ‘Nasha’ group antagonist loci Sangharsh Samiti’ which is fighting this menace in about 40 villages of the city kum kalani region.
Hakam is not alone, there are many former addicts in Ludhiana district especially in Koom Kalan, Samrala and Raikot areas who have played the role of warriors against drug use and drug abuse in their areas.
“I started taking drugs when some friends wanted me to taste it. It was the worst life because I often took drugs and I was taken to another world. But, once the effect of the drug went away , it used to be difficult to think of anything else, but drugs as I became completely dependent on that,” said Hakam Singh.
“When my family came to know about it, they got really angry with me. Later he took several steps to get me out of the drug addiction.”
Gyan Singh Mand, father of Hakam, the block president of a farmers union, said, “Since he is my only son, he was shocked when we came to know about his addiction. The first thing we did was to stop paying him money and keep a close eye on him. Later we got him treated for addiction and by the grace of God he came out as a ‘free’ person. Now he is married and helps me cultivate our 10 acres of land.
“Sharing a strong bond with the youth in the area, he provides information on drug trade to Nasha Viruti Lok Sangharsh Samiti which is fighting against drug abuse in the area. He also tells his friends and acquaintances about the dark side of addiction.”
Among others who are now fighting against drug abuse in the area is a 25-year-old. Harinder Singh The neighboring village of Chaunta has earned the “tag” of being a drug capital and has seen several suspected drug overdose deaths.
“I have two siblings and we do farming. In 2012, a neighbor introduced me to ‘chitta’ (medicines) and I started sucking him with a pipe. After taking Chitta I would feel numbness and at the same time I would feel as if I had fever. I started having sleep problems. From 2014 to 2016, I lived in a camp where the problem was investigated to some extent. I thought I would die if I continued taking drugs. So in 2020, Bhajan Singh, the elder of the village, inspired me to quit drugs. Later, I got drug addiction treatment,” said Harinder Singh.
“I have given up drugs for almost 2 years. I have one and a half year old daughter. I am also working with a committee against drug abuse,” he said.
He said that addicts are cursed in the society and their families feel that they should not have been born.
A silent warrior against drugs stars a former addict from a village near the Jagraons.
“Having suffered the worst because of drug abuse, I decided to quit Chitta. My self-confidence was destroyed due to drug problem and even my family had to bear the taunts of acquaintances. There was a time when I thought I would never get out of this mess and eventually die, but then the fear of death and the future of my aging parents completely changed me. Now after getting treatment for my addiction, I am back to normal life and work,” said the 45-year-old former addict, who did not wish to be named.
“After witnessing the devastation caused by drugs, I am the first person to tell addicts who leave it to visit me because it destroys them and their families. If I come to know of any peddlers roaming the area, I quietly share the information with the leading villagers who inform the police.
Meanwhile, members of the anti-drug Lok Sangharsh Samiti say that there are many instances where former addicts are helping to turn the tide against drug abuse in various sectors. It claims to have run an anti-drug campaign in about 80 villages in different areas of Kum Kalan, Machhiwada and Samrala areas of Ludhiana district.
“There have been over 50 suspected drug overdose deaths in the area. So, after seeing such devastation due to drugs, we decided to start a fight against drug trade here. In addition, we try to provide treatment for drug addicts. Although many addicts go back to drugs for a while, there are some whose willpower makes a big difference in quitting completely and helps us in the fight against drugs. They provide us with information about peddlers, how they sell, how they transport, and what spots they usually prefer. We’ve got a WhatsApp group to share such leads. Information is given to the police who arrest such peddlers and suppliers,” said Amarnath, a resident of Koom Kalan and a member of the committee.
He said that now there has been some kind of investigation in the area as compared to the drugs sold openly in the area.
Box 1: People fighting drugs are doing great service: Ex-DGP
Former DGP Shashi Kant said that very few addicts come out of intoxication. According to one study, about 60-65% return to drugs. “It is commendable that some addicts are coming out of addiction and they are living as an example for others to fight this menace. The good news is that there are instances where former addicts take the fight to the next level. Helping to go,” he said, adding that more addicts will come out of drugs if they get employment and such people have social acceptance.
Strong comeback after losing everything in 20 years
Parminder Singh, 40, a former drug addict, sold his family land, house, household items and even lost his parents before he came to his senses and gave up drugs.
A resident of Koom Kalan area, who had been addicted to drugs for 20 years and came out of drug addiction seven months ago, Parminder said that around 2001, he began his journey with opium.
“After that I shifted to Smack. In 2012 I started taking heroin. By the time I quit drugged about seven months ago, I had lost almost everything – 2 acres of land, house, household items etc. Due to my addiction problem, my mother Manjit Kaur also died about four years ago and my father Sohan Singh one and a half years ago. All the well-known people including my wife were fed up with me. My turning point came when I had lost almost everything. I was worried what would happen to my 5-year-old son if I died of addiction,” the former addict said. “After that, I decided to come out of it. I went to my sister’s house in Khanna and took medication for de-addiction from an outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) center. I feel like I’m out of hell.”
The former addict said that he has not completely cut off contact with the people with whom he will take drugs and they meet. “But I tell them to give up drugs to save their lives. They are happy that I have come out of the swamp, while they are not able to do so. They get motivated seeing me. I recommend the same to people at my workplace (electronic store). Even in the village, I tell people how drugs destroy lives,” said the former drug-addicted anti-drug activist. He said that as addicts have benefited from OAAT centres, attention should be paid to counseling such people.
The former addict said that the police should stop the supply of narcotics which would otherwise be easily available to the youth.
Parminder Singh said, “Those who have given up drugs can join the work of counseling and motivate others to quit drugs.”
His cousin said that Parminder had twice had drug overdose and they had to save him by giving him an antidote. He said that Parminder had sold almost everything before getting up – gas cylinders, doors, inverter, bedding, his son’s clothes.