Surge in heart infections among Kashmir’s drug users

Srinagar, Aug 9: Kashmir’s drug addiction crisis has taken a deadly turn as hospitals across the Valley are reporting an uptick in cases of infective endocarditis among drug users.

This life-threatening heart infection, attributed to the use of unsterile syringes for drug administration, is emerging as a serious complication in the ongoing battle with substance abuse.

Medical professionals at various hospitals in Kashmir are witnessing an alarming trend.

A doctor at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar shared a recent encounter, saying, “Two patients suffering from infective endocarditis came for treatment, complaining of chest pain. After a thorough examination, we came to know that they were drug addicts and had been using injections to administer drugs.”

This case is not isolated, as similar incidents are being reported across Kashmir.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves.

Its increasing prevalence among intravenous drug users in Kashmir underscores the urgent need for both addiction treatment and harm reduction strategies.

Research published in the Indian Heart Journal has shed light on the gravity of the situation.

The study revealed that between 2017 and 2019, 40.6 percent of 133 patients admitted with IE were intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) abusers.

These patients showed higher rates of positive blood cultures compared to non-IVDA patients.

Additionally, there was a higher incidence of Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and pseudomonas-related IE among IVDA patients.

The study also found that IVDA patients were more likely to have HIV and HCV infections, along with other chronic comorbidities.

Medical professionals are stressing the importance of early intervention and comprehensive care. Symptoms of infective endocarditis can include fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Kashmir’s long-standing struggle with drug addiction has taken a dangerous new turn in recent years with the rise of synthetic heroin use.

Medical professionals in the region have observed a concerning shift in drug use patterns, with an increasing number of addicts turning to adulterated heroin.

This synthetic version, a perilous mix of pharmaceutical opioids like Tramadol and opium, poses even greater health risks than pure heroin.

The consequences of this shift are severe and potentially life-threatening.

Prolonged use of synthetic heroin can lead to vein collapse, cardiac events, and other critical complications.

Its toxicity is particularly dangerous as it doesn't dissolve properly in the bloodstream, instead accumulating in the veins.

The gravity of this situation has caught the attention of national authorities.

On July 18, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the growing problem of synthetic drugs in India, highlighting the recent discovery of illegal laboratories.

Shah stressed the need for collaboration between state investigation agencies and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to effectively combat this menace.

The scale of substance abuse in Jammu and Kashmir is alarming.

A 2018 national survey conducted by the ministry on the extent and pattern of substance use in India revealed that over 14.09 lakh people aged between 10 and 75 in the region were using various psychoactive substances.