The Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TSNAB) has pressed the red alert button regarding the wide-scale use of Alprazolam, a chemical added in medicines to treat anxiety and insomnia. In a major operation, the police raided various factories producing the chemical illegally and arrested 16 persons, including an excise constable in Kamareddy.
In a video message, TSNAB director Sandeep Shandilya warned that the chemical is highly addictive and users can develop dependence soon. Under the Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the commercial quantity of Alprazolam is 100 gm.
“Commercial quantity”, in relation to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, means any quantity greater than what is specified by the Central government.
In the last two years, 43 cases of Alprazolam seizure were registered in Telangana, around 66 cases were registered for selling Alprazolam-spiked toddy in Hyderabad city.
One gram of this chemical sells for Rs 10,000 in the market. The recommended dose for patients is up to 0.5 mg. It is usually used in combination with other chemicals in medicines.
Shandilya further said: “In Sangareddy, we were able to bust an illegal factory and seized 14 kg of Nordazepam, the chemical formed just before Alprazolam is produced. In Suraram, we recovered 10 kg of the drug. This factory, taken on a lease of five days, was used to manufacture 70 kg of the chemical”.
Shandilya also spoke about the involvement of government officials in the crime. “One constable, who was fired and then reinstated, was found guilty. An unknown source tipped us that he is supplying the drug to customers. In another case, we have apprehended a man who sent 34 kg of the chemical to Hyderabad. While we were able to recover 7 kg, 17 kg went to people in Shadnagar and another 10 kg went to Ramesh, excise constable in Kamareddy. I request all departments to cooperate with us in curbing this menace”.
Another worrying aspect of this threat is that ingredients such as benzoyl cyanide are used to produce Alprazolam. Since these are being manufactured in unlicensed units, a small mix-up can lead to disastrous consequences.
Giving more information about the chemical, Dr Amulya Koneru from Ankura Hospital, said: “Alprazolam is a prescription drug used to treat insomnia and anxiety disorders. It can give the patient a euphoric feeling. If they use it for a long time and stop suddenly, they might experience withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shivering and seizures. The higher the doses, the more severe are the withdrawal symptoms. In India, it is mostly sold under the brand name Alprax. It is a prescription-only medicine”.
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