The Deadly Pyramid Scheme of Synthetic Heroin in India’s Mountains | Trouble in Paradise

VICE

6 May 202219:49

Summary

TLDRThis video explores the contrasting realities of Himachal Pradesh, India, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and adventure sports, yet grappling with a severe opioid crisis. Amid breathtaking landscapes and popular tourist activities like paragliding, the region faces a growing epidemic of synthetic heroin addiction. The narrative follows personal stories of struggle, loss, and attempts at rehabilitation, highlighting the severe impact of the drug on local communities. Efforts by local NGOs and police to combat the crisis are documented, illustrating the challenges of addressing this complex issue amidst the picturesque setting of Himachal Pradesh.

Takeaways

🏔️ Himachal Pradesh, known as the Switzerland of India, is famous for its snowy peaks and adventure sports, attracting millions of tourists annually before the pandemic.
🏠 The narrator moved back to a village in Himachal Pradesh during the lockdown to be with family, highlighting the shift in lifestyle and family bonding.
🪂 Bir Billing in Himachal is one of the highest takeoff points for paragliding, offering breathtaking views but also hiding a dark reality of opioid addiction.
💉 The state is experiencing a growing opioid crisis, particularly with synthetic opioids like Chitta, a form of heroin, which has led to numerous overdose deaths.
📊 Himachal Pradesh has a per capita opioid use more than double the national average, contributing to India's high illegal opioid consumption rate, which is three times the global average.
🚓 Many areas in Himachal, particularly those bordering Punjab, have become notorious for drug trafficking, with police efforts ongoing to curb this issue.
🌿 While Himachal has a cannabis-friendly reputation, the rise of synthetic heroin is a more dangerous development, affecting both locals and tourists.
🚑 The opioid crisis is further complicated by a lack of mental health support and rehabilitation facilities, with the state having only five government rehabs.
👮 Police have seized significant assets related to drug trafficking, but the lucrative nature of the heroin trade continues to attract participants.
🧠 Opioid addiction severely impacts brain chemistry and mental health, with experts emphasizing the need for treatment approaches that address these aspects.

Q & A

What is Himachal Pradesh often referred to as and why?
-Himachal Pradesh is often referred to as the 'Switzerland of India' due to its spectacular snowy peaks and thrilling adventure sports.
What significant impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on Himachal Pradesh?
-Before the pandemic, Himachal Pradesh saw 17 million tourists annually. The lockdown led to a significant reduction in tourism.
What personal activity does the narrator's family partake in for bonding?
-The narrator's family bonds through near-death activities such as paragliding.
What is a growing problem in Himachal Pradesh despite its natural beauty?
-A growing opioid crisis is a significant problem in Himachal Pradesh despite its natural beauty.
What is 'chitta' and why is it concerning?
-Chitta is a form of synthetic heroin. It is concerning because it has significant effects on the body, including pain relief, euphoria, slow breathing, and potentially fatal overdoses.
How does the opioid consumption in Himachal Pradesh compare to the national average?
-Himachal Pradesh has more than double the national average of opioid use.
What personal loss did the narrator experience due to the opioid crisis?
-The narrator lost a close family member to an overdose death.
What role does Vijay Kumar play in addressing the opioid crisis in Himachal Pradesh?
-Vijay Kumar runs an NGO called Gunjan and has been tracking the history of synthetic heroin in North India for the past decade.
What makes Himachal Pradesh attractive to tourists besides its natural beauty?
-Himachal Pradesh is also known for its high-quality cannabis cultivation and products, attracting both national and international tourists.
What is the main challenge faced by the police in combating the drug problem in Himachal Pradesh?
-The main challenge is the high consumption of heroin, which has led to a steady rise in the number of drug retailers.
Why are opioids so addictive according to Dr. Anita Thakur?
-Opioids are addictive because they hijack the brain's reward system, making the user need opioids to enjoy life's pleasures.
What is the state of rehabilitation facilities in Himachal Pradesh?
-Himachal Pradesh has only five government rehabs, and less than three percent of addicts ever make it to rehabilitation.
What broader issue does the opioid crisis in Himachal Pradesh reflect?
-The opioid crisis in Himachal Pradesh reflects a complex issue compounded by shame and stigma, despite efforts by the government and individuals to address it.

Outlines

00:00

🏔️ Spectacular Himachal and its Hidden Crisis

Himachal Pradesh, known as the 'Switzerland of India' for its stunning snowy peaks and adventure sports, attracts millions of tourists annually. During the lockdown, the author returned to their hometown in the region, a place famous for paragliding. However, beneath its natural beauty lies a severe opioid crisis, marked by a high prevalence of synthetic heroin (chitta). The author explores the issue, meeting locals affected by addiction and discussing the significant impact on the community.

05:01

🌲 The History and Impact of Synthetic Heroin in Himachal

The author meets Vijay Kumar, who runs an NGO and has been studying synthetic heroin in North India for a decade. The discussion highlights the route of opioids from Pakistan and Afghanistan through Punjab into Himachal. Despite Himachal's reputation as a family vacation spot, it also attracts tourists seeking cannabis. The Dalai Lama's residence brings many seeking Tibetan culture, but the nearby Dharamshala jail has a high number of drug-related incarcerations. Efforts to curb the crisis include police crackdowns on retailers of chitta.

10:02

🚔 Policing the Drug Epidemic in Himachal

In an effort to understand the enforcement side, the author meets a police officer working to dismantle the heroin supply chain in Himachal. The discussion reveals the high profitability of heroin trade and the challenges in combating it. The police have seized significant assets from drug trades. A former peddler shares his traumatic experience and reasons for leaving the business, emphasizing the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in the region.

15:04

🧠 The Mental Health Crisis Linked to Opioid Addiction

Dr. Anita Thakur, a psychiatrist, explains the severe mental health issues associated with opioid addiction, noting the rise in diseases like hepatitis C and HIV from shared needles. She describes how opioids hijack the brain's reward system, making them highly addictive. The story of Gaurav, who underwent nine bouts of rehab to quit, highlights the scarcity of rehabilitation centers in Himachal. Despite the state's postcard-perfect image, the opioid crisis remains a complex issue shrouded in shame and stigma.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India known for its scenic mountainous landscapes, often referred to as the 'Switzerland of India'. The video highlights its popularity as a tourist destination, drawing 17 million visitors annually before the pandemic. It also explores the darker side of the region, focusing on the opioid crisis affecting local communities.

💡Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis in Himachal Pradesh refers to the alarming increase in the use of synthetic opioids, such as chitta (a form of heroin). The video discusses how this issue has become a significant problem, with high addiction rates and related deaths, surpassing national averages. This crisis impacts local families, economy, and health services.

💡Chitta

Chitta is a form of synthetic heroin prevalent in Himachal Pradesh. The video highlights its devastating effects on users, leading to addiction, health issues, and overdose deaths. Chitta's high potency and low cost make it a popular yet dangerous drug, contributing significantly to the state's opioid crisis.

💡Tourism

Tourism in Himachal Pradesh is a major industry, with the state attracting millions of visitors for its natural beauty, adventure sports, and cultural sites like the residence of the Dalai Lama. The video contrasts this picturesque image with the underlying drug problem, showing the dual realities of the region.

💡Paragliding

Paragliding is highlighted as one of the popular adventure sports in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the town of Bir Billing, which is one of the highest takeoff points in the world. This activity symbolizes the thrill and beauty that attract tourists, juxtaposed with the state's hidden struggles with drug addiction.

💡Synthetic Heroin

Synthetic heroin, specifically referred to as chitta in the video, is a man-made opioid that mimics the effects of natural heroin. The video explains its significant role in the opioid crisis in Himachal Pradesh, causing severe health problems and contributing to the high rates of addiction and overdose deaths.

💡Addiction

Addiction is a central theme of the video, describing the struggle individuals face with substance use, particularly opioids. It explores the personal stories of addicts, the challenges of rehabilitation, and the broader social and economic impact on Himachal Pradesh communities.

💡Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation in the context of the video refers to the process of helping individuals overcome addiction. The video mentions the limited number of government rehabilitation centers in Himachal Pradesh and the difficulties addicts face in accessing these services, highlighting the need for better support systems.

💡Mental Health

Mental health is discussed in relation to substance abuse, emphasizing the need for adequate mental health support for addicts. The video features interviews with health professionals who argue that addiction should be treated as a mental health issue, requiring comprehensive care and rehabilitation efforts.

💡Economic Impact

The economic impact of the opioid crisis in Himachal Pradesh is significant, with the video noting the low per capita income and the financial burden on families affected by addiction. It discusses how the drug trade can be lucrative for some but devastating for the community, contributing to the cycle of poverty and drug dependence.

💡Cannabis

Cannabis, while historically accepted in Himachal Pradesh, is contrasted with the more dangerous synthetic opioids in the video. The state is known for its high-quality cannabis cultivation, attracting tourists interested in cannabis products, which adds complexity to the region's drug-related challenges.

💡Police Efforts

Police efforts to combat the drug trade in Himachal Pradesh are highlighted in the video, showing their attempts to disrupt supply chains and arrest key figures in the heroin market. The video includes interviews with law enforcement officials discussing the challenges and successes in addressing the opioid crisis.

💡Punjab

Punjab is mentioned as a neighboring state and a significant corridor for opioids entering Himachal Pradesh from Pakistan and Afghanistan. The video explains how the proximity to Punjab exacerbates the drug problem in Himachal, particularly in border areas.

💡Harm Reduction

Harm reduction refers to strategies aimed at minimizing the negative health and social impacts of drug use. The video touches on harm reduction approaches, such as providing better access to rehabilitation and mental health services, to help mitigate the effects of the opioid crisis in Himachal Pradesh.

💡Overdose Deaths

Overdose deaths are a tragic outcome of the opioid crisis, with the video reporting that many such deaths go unreported. The personal stories of families who have lost loved ones to overdoses underscore the severity of the crisis and the urgent need for intervention and support.

Highlights

Himachal Pradesh, known for its spectacular snowy peaks and adventure sports, attracts 17 million tourists annually.

The narrator moved back to a village in Himachal Pradesh during the lockdown to be with family.

Bir Billing in Himachal Pradesh is one of the highest takeoff points for paragliding in the world.

Despite its natural beauty, Himachal Pradesh faces a growing opioid crisis.

A local pine forest in South Himachal is known as a go-to place for substance users due to its seclusion.

Reports of overdose deaths from opioids like chitta, a form of heroin, are common in local newspapers.

India has thrice the global average consumption of illegal opioids, with Himachal Pradesh having more than double the national average per person.

The narrator lost a close family member to an opioid overdose and struggled to find adequate mental health support and rehabilitation.

Himachal Pradesh has a low per capita income, making the high cost of synthetic heroin a paradox in its widespread use.

Vijay Kumar, who runs an NGO called Gunjan, has been tracking the history of synthetic heroin in North India for the past decade.

Punjab serves as the corridor for opioids entering North India from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Himachal Pradesh is a popular destination for cannabis-related tourism, attracting national and international visitors.

The Dharamshala jail, near the residence of the Dalai Lama, has three-fourths of its inmates imprisoned for drug-related offenses.

The state police have intensified efforts to curb the supply chain of chitta in Himachal Pradesh.

Many households in the border regions of Himachal Pradesh are involved in the heroin trade due to its high profitability.

Seized assets from drug trades in these regions are valued at over 1.6 million dollars.

Most peddlers and users caught in the heroin trade find it difficult to escape due to its deep impact on brain chemistry.

Dr. Anita Thakur, a psychiatrist, emphasizes that substance abuse is a mental health issue and should be treated as such.

Diseases like hepatitis C and HIV are increasingly spreading through shared injections rather than sexual transmission.

Less than three percent of addicts in Himachal Pradesh make it to rehabilitation centers.

The state of Himachal Pradesh has only five government rehabilitation centers.

Gaurav, a former addict, successfully quit after nine rehabilitation attempts and now works in one of the state’s rehab centers.

The opioid crisis in Himachal Pradesh, particularly due to synthetic heroin, remains a complex and growing issue despite governmental and individual efforts.