Novel move by Narcotics Anonymous helps addicted youths turn clean incognito

In different locations across Chennai, small groups of people come together to battle their addiction to drugs, which remains a menace even despite decades of efforts by police and social workers.

The ambition of 28-year-old Srinidhi (name changed) to set up her own boutique and get married was unusual, since her chief obstacle from the goal was becoming clean from being a heroin addict for seven years. Attending Narcotics Anonymous meetings that happen twice a week in Velachery for five consecutive years has helped her in staying clean for the last three years, she revealed. “I still need to come for the meetings - the support group helps me stay clean,” said Srinidhi.

The 16-year-old addict confesses that they are still struggling to get out of their addiction. “We even smoke ganja during the toilet breaks at the meetings, but we are trying to get out of it. Our support group is understanding and no one judges us. They are not here to lecture, but chat and motivate us by sharing their journeys,” he says as the other teenager nods in agreement.

While 10 percent of attendees of Narcotics Anonymous meetings across India are students, 30 percent of them fall in the 20-30 age group. Around 15 Narcotics Anonymous meetings happen every week in Chennai, seeing attendance from 14 different groups of 5-10 people in different parts of the city.

“In a group of ten, 7 will be addicted to cannabis and 3 are addicted to opioids like heroin,” said John (name changed), who has been an active member ever since NA initiated de-addiction meetings in Chennai six years ago. The proportion can be related to a study conducted by National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre and All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), that revealed 3 crore people in India use ganja while 2.26 crore opt for opioids.

The groups are given tea, coffee and biscuits free of cost. “It’s a free support group, no one has to pay to join NA,” said John. Meets happen in CSI Zion Church, Chintadripet; CSI Good Shepherd Church, Velachery; Saint Lourdes Church, Perambur; Alandur Park Campus; Saint Joseph’s Boys High School, Vepery; Saint Theresa’s Church, Nungambakkam; Saint Lazarus Church, Mandaveli; Fathoms Church, Kodambakkam.

“We celebrate sobriety of fellow members so the ones who are trying to come out of their addiction are inspired. Our meetings thrive on open-mindedness, love, compassion and hope,” said Srinidhi.