A safe haven for drug peddlers

KOCHI: It may now be a structure dilapidated to the core but the Employees State Insurance (ESI) quarters had been in the news for all the wrong reasons.Years ago when Dr Maria came to stay in the quarters situated in the compound of ESI Hospital,  near INS Dronacharya, at Fort Kochi with her family, little did she know that her life would turn topsy-turvy. For both her son and husband got entangled in the clutches of drug peddlers. The boy was just 14 years old. Later seven other families who stayed at the same quarters too had to undergo bitter experiences.The quarters in ruins is now fully non-functional. But the menace persists as the hospital itself plays a safe haven for anti-socials. The used needles, syringes and traces of drugs left inside the hospital stands testimony to it.  “The people who are living nearby are keeping mum. We never complained as it would invite more trouble,” sources said.Regional Director of ESI Hospital, North, has agreed that the staff at the hospital are facing problems from anti-socials. “They are scared to come for duty after 5 pm!”, the doctor said.However, the police denied getting any complaints on drug peddling activities in the area. “We have not received any such complaints. It was true that we snatched some tipplers from the premise but not drug peddlers” said Fort Kochi Sub-Inspector. “It was four or five years ago when Manuel’s son, who was then 17 years old, fell prey to drugs. The boy had gone completely out of his mind. He used to throw violent tantrums. It was horrifying,” said one resident on conditions of anonymity.Sarojini Amma, Dr Teresa and Vincy Teresa were the residents of the quarters who also had to bear the brunt. “Sarojini quit her job and took her son away, when he fell ill. Later we realised that her son had turned a drug addict and died soon,” he said.  Dr Teresa’s son had frequented night clubs, which made him all the more accessible to drugs and drug peddlers. He was 19. Vincy Tresa’s son was 22 years old when he was caught by the police for keeping drugs, Sources said the menace of drug peddlers have been troubling people for the past 12 years. “The authorities concerned have also identified the anti-social incidents. But nobody has taken any measures to curb this,” he said.(Names have been changed)