Schoolgirl comes home drugged, dad gets peddler arrested

Schoolgirl comes home drugged, dad gets peddler arrested

When Sangita’s (name changed) parents found dark circles under her eyes and her loss of interest in studies though SSC preliminary exams were going on, they felt something amiss. They soon discovered Sangita had been taking drugs for two months. They then approached Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) and found out that the girl was on MD (mephedrone) and it was being supplied by a plumber in Sawarkar Nagar, Thane.The plumber, Sudhir Nishad, was caught while handing over a drug sachet to the girl on Jan 13. Explaining their ordeal Sangita’s father said: “A month ago when I came home I saw my daughter very stressed. When I asked her about her studies, she did not reply and went to sleep. When I asked my wife, she told me Sangita had been behaving thus for days and had not been eating.”
“Her behavior had changed. She had stopped arguing and was indifferent. She did not sleep well and there were dark circles under her eyes. We took her to a doctor who assured us everything was fine,” her father said.
They weren’t sure, and started their own investigation! “I observed that every time she went out in the evenings, she talked to the local plumber. Observing her behaviour, we thought she might be on drugs.”
M Dharmadhikari, senior police inspector, ANC, Thane said: “During Navratri time, a few of her friends discussed MD in powder form. She found the local plumber was taking MD. He gave her some for free, and later she started buying from him. She took MD five-six times in two months. She even stole money from home or borrowed from friends to buy the drug. Each packet (a few grams in crystal/powder form) costs approximately Rs 500.”
Sangeeta has been counselled. Dharmadhikari said: “If a person takes MD in excess, it can affect his mind and body. He/she does not get enough sleep and does not feel hungry. Hence, parents should keep a check on their children.”
Nishad said he had got the drug from Mumbra. He also revealed it’s available in Sion, Kurla, Mankhurd and Dongri.