'Yaba aroused me, I craved for sex'

First victim to undergo rehab for abusing deadliest drug says tablet left him mentally and physically drainedHe belonged to a rich family, but stole cash from home to satisfy his cravings. Murtaza Nissar (17, name changed), a resident of Kolkata, used to consume 10 tablets of Yaba every day and spent Rs 3,000u00a0 per day on it. The drug is four times stronger than Ecstasy and is imported from Thailand and Myanmar.u00a0It aroused intense sexual feelings in me and I would often call my girlfriend home to have sex, recalls Murtaza.It'S deadly and has now landed on Indian shores. Yaba, a new psychotropic drug, is available at Rs 250 per tablet only if you are well connected. It is imported from Thailand and Myanmar.A combination of methamphetamine and caffeine makes it four times stronger than Ecstasy tablets. In Thailand, the place of its origin, the drug is called Crazy Medicine or Nazi Speed.u00a0Yaba users experience an intense burst of energy, followed by increased activity, decreased appetite and a general sense of well being, said Dr Yusuf Merchant, head of Drug Abuse Information Rehabilitation and Research Centre (DAIRRC).u00a0Once the effects wear off, the user 'crashes' experiencing prolonged periods of sleep and depression. Overdose of the drug can be dangerous.Not a role modelMurtaza Nissar (17, name changed), a resident of Kolkata and the first person in a rehab centre for overdosing on Yaba, is testimony to the above statements. Murtaza got addicted to Yaba after his brother introduced him to the drug. It led to severe physical and mental trauma. Murtaza is now undergoing rehab on the outskirts of Mumbai. He narrates his plight to MiD DAY.Rich BratI was 10 when I was addicted to substances that gave me a high. I started with cough syrups. From consuming one bottle a day, I went on to have four bottles. Within a year, I was hooked on to brown sugar. My elder brother Rafiq (name changed), got brown sugar at Rs 100 for 25 grams.u00a0Brown sugar gave me a kick stronger than any of the cough syrups. I began spending my pocket money on these substances and even stole cash from home. My addiction resulted in me dropping out of school when I was appearing for my Std XI at the age of 16.u00a0Deadliest DrugLast year, Rafiq handed me Yaba and said it was the deadliest drug. The small, reddish pink tablet had 'WY' written on it and smelt like vanilla. Each pill contains 30 per cent methamphetamine mixed with caffeine.After taking the tablet, I found myself on a high that was unparalleled. It also aroused intense sexual feelings in me and I would often call my girlfriend home to have sex.I became addicted to Yaba and started consuming nearly 10 tablets every day. I spent Rs 3,000 on the drug. I gave up eating and went from 98 kg to 76 kg in eight months. I began feeling irritated and would get annoyed easily when I did not take the drug. I had no control over my senses. I began having illusions. It was then that my father got to know that Rafiq and I were on drugs.RecoveryWhile I was brought to a rehabilitation centre near Mumbai, my brother was sent to a detoxification clinic in Kolkata.My brother is now cured and is in the US pursuing higher studies. It has been over six months since I have been in the rehabilitation centre.I want to start life afresh go back to my studies and to the USA to join a football club there.What is Yaba?Yaba, a new psychotropic drug is available at Rs 250 per tablet, only if you are well connected. Itu00a0 is imported from Thailand and Myanmar. A combination of methamphetamine and caffeine makes it four times stronger than Ecstasy tablets. Yaba comes in the size of a pencil eraser and is usually crushed and snorted. The tablets come in flavours like grape, orange or vanilla. The drug is widely used at rave and techno parties.Inviting DeathYaba causes rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, damages blood vessels in the brain and can lead to a stroke. An overdose can cause hyperthermia convulsions, and even death.Deadly DrugsHeroinInject, sniff, smoke, silver burnQuantity: nearly 1 gramCost*: Rs 60 to Rs 100 Destroys body within: 10 to 15 yearsCocaineSniff, added to gutka or panQuantity: nearly 1 gramCost: Rs 2,500 to Rs 8,000 Destroys body within: 7 yearsEcstasy TabletQuantity: nearly 0.5 mg to u00a02 mg Cost: Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 Destroys body within: 3 yearsYabaTablet formQuantity: nearly 0.5mg to 2mg Cost: Rs 80 to Rs 200 Destroys body within: 1 yearLSDLiquid Quantity: one drop Cost: Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 Destroys body within: 5 years*All price ranges are subject tou00a0 the quality of the drug.

'Yaba aroused me, I craved for sex'

Next Story : Navi Mumbai-Bandra journey gets cooler

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

Paris Olympics 2024: Neeraj Chopra’s mom celebrates Silver, praises Nadeem

Maratha Quota Protests: Mumbai Traffic Hit, Trains Overcrowded, Roads Blocked

sadsad

Rahul’s Reaction On Kohli Opening For The Indian Cricket Team - Asia Cup 2022

BCCI Chief Roger Binny On Indian Team Travelling To Pakistan For The Asia Cup