Pradeep (name changed), a youngster, who is ready to go to college this year, is now lying on one of the de-addiction beds under psychiatry department of Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

The adolescent pupil is still recuperating from coerced drug abuse by his pals, who drove him into drug addiction.

Ramzan, a ragpicker, who at first, took to cigarette smoking when prompted by his buddies, has now turned into a drug addict and time and again searches for heroin or psychotropic drugs.

These are a number of shocking tales of drug abuse in adolescents and younger people of the city, even as the area seems all prepared to witness International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Saturday, June
26.

The rising inclination towards drug abuse amongst the youth has already posed apprehensions for health specialists in the region.

Sanjay Gupta, Head of Psychiatry Department, BHU said, "Young children and youths are becoming an easy prey to the vicious network of drug peddlers in the region. This network is now spreading even to remote rural areas".

It all begins from a cigarette puff and later develops into a heavy addiction of rigid psychotropic drugs, together with opium, heroin, cannabis and amonst others.