SARGODHA, Sept 29: After the cancellation of permits of about 800 opium addicts in the district, users under 60 are facing a great deal of inconvenience as they have to purchase the required quantity at higher prices.

And making the most of the opportunity, black marketeers are selling an opium pill for Rs40 to Rs70. The actual price of a 10-pill packet is Rs50. Those above 60 can get the required quantity of opium from the Excise and Taxation Department after showing prescription.

According to reports, there were 150 opium permit holders in the city, 350 in the Bhalwal tehsil and 250 in the Shahpur tehsil. They used to get 30 to 60 pills a month from the department on the recommendation of a medical superintendent concerned. The department mostly saved the quota and handed it over to its favourites, who used to sell pills on commission.

It is reliably learnt that about 1,000 to 3,000 pills were being sold by the excise department in black market for Rs40 to Rs50 for each pill. Dr Sikandar Hayat Warriach, the Pakistan Medical Association secretary-general, told this correspondent that he was in charge of addicts' prescription unit for the last two years and during that had not recommended any case for permit.

He said only 50 per cent of the users among the permit holders were genuine while the rest were either getting this facility for their own earning or becoming tools in the hands of the excise department.

He added that politically influential people were exerting pressure for prescription of opium pills, but he refused to succumb to any pressure. He said the PMA had got registered a society namely Rahbar Welfare Society, which had set up eight-bed special rehabilitation centre at the DHQ Hospital.

He said during the last two months he provided treatment to about 20 patients, who were now leading a normal life and being watched by the volunteer team of the RWS. DPO Muhammad Naeem Khan said he had directed all the subordinates to control sale and supply of narcotics. A special campaign had been launched against narcotics, he added.