Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii has said the state government will launch a crackdown on codeine cough syrup abuse by drug addicts.
Codeine is a naturally occurring opioid derived from morphine that is primarily used as a cough suppressant. Codeine is found in various medicines, particularly cough syrups, and is abused by addicts for intoxication.
The Minister warned that the government would not hesitate to cancel drug licences of dealers violating the law, amid growing concerns over the widespread abuse and illegal sale of pharmaceutical drugs, particularly codeine syrup, in the state.
In a social media post, the minister said an inter-ministerial meeting was held in Aizawl on Monday to discuss the alarming rise in pharmaceutical drug abuse.
The meeting was attended by Excise Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, officials of the Health and Excise and Narcotics departments, and representatives of the Central Young Mizo Association (YMA).
Representatives of Mizoram Chemists and Druggists Association, Mizoram Medical Representative Association and Mobile Drugs Dealers Association were also present at the meeting held at SAD Conference Hall, MINECO.
The meeting expressed concern over prescription drugs being sold without doctor’s prescription and codeine syrup emerging as the most commonly used drug in Mizoram.
The meeting also discussed steps to curb the smuggling of codeine syrup and other drugs into Mizoram by further improving the coordination between different enforcement agencies.
