8-year-old waif addicted to drugs battles for life

The police rescued an 8-year-old boy who was lying unconscious near the KR Market premises after ingesting an overdose of illicit drugs.

The KR Market police rushed Manu (name changed) to Vani Villas Hospital in a critical condition.According to sources in the hospital, the boy is believed to have been addicted to multiple illicit drugs, besides alcohol and smoking.

Senior doctors treating the boy told Deccan Herald that his mother, a resident of Nelamangala, had also confessed to herself taking drugs. “When she was brought to the hospital, she was drunk and not in the right frame of mind to understand the condition of her son. She wanted to take him back,” the doctors added.

“She confessed that the boy was addicted to multiple drugs, including cannabis. He is also said to be inhaling fumes from printing solution, glue and solutions used to fix tyre punctures,” sources said.

According to the doctors, Manu is in a state of “altered sensorium.” His condition continues to be critical and he is in the intensive care unit.

Decision on rehabilitation
Members of the Child Welfare Committee visited the boy at the hospital. They are expected to come back tomorrow, after which a decision on his rehabilitation would be taken,” sources said.

The police said there were many more boys like Manu in the area. There are plenty of families around Kalasipalya and City Market areas who are addicted to drugs, alcohol and smoking. Manu is also believed to be among a group seeking alms near the Market signal, they added.