Maharashtra
Mumbai: De-Addiction Cases At KEM Hospital Rise By 15-20% In 2024

Mumbai: The increasing number of young people falling prey to addiction has worried psychiatrists as the de-addiction centre run by KEM Hospital Parel has witnessed a 15% to 20% surge in new cases this year. According to the doctors running the centre, most of the patients seeking treatment are between the ages of 18 and 30.
Data from January to May this year reveals that 75 young patients in this age range are currently undergoing treatment, making it the largest demographic at the centre. There are 47 patients aged 31 to 45, nine patients under 18, and seven patients aged 46 to 60.
Dr Sangeeta Ravat, Dean Of The Hospital On The Reason For The Rise
Dr Sangeeta Ravat, dean of the hospital, said one reason for the rise is increased awareness about the centre. “Overall surge in addiction rates can be a reason behind the rising trend we are seeing at our centre. It can also be because they are more aware of seeking help at the centre. Our doctors are also visiting schools and counselling, sensitising parents and students about the harmful effects of addiction and the services available,” he said.
Dr Shilpa Adarkar, additional professor, psychiatry department of KEM Hospital, said addiction among school and college-going teenagers and young adults is a growing concern. Adarkar, who has been working at the centre for the past 30 years, said, they are now seeing children with MDMA (MD) drugs and marijuana addiction too.
“Earlier, we used to see most addictions related to marijuana, sleeping pills, tobacco, cough syrup, brown sugar, inhalation of nail polish or adhesives, and alcoholism,” she said.
Dr Adarkar added that patients coming to KEM Hospital are from economically weaker backgrounds and it is a cause for concern to see an increased accessibility to high-value drugs such as MDMA among children from poor economic backgrounds.
About KEM’s De-Addiction OPD Unit
KEM, the only civic hospital in Mumbai with a dedicated de-addiction OPD unit, expanded its services last year, adding 45 beds as part of a revamp to meet rising demand. On average, 1,000 to 1,200 new patients visit the OPD each year, while thousands more attend followups. Last year alone, 680 patients sought help for alcohol addiction, with another 270 seeking treatment for dependencies on other substances such as brown sugar, marijuana and sedatives. Alcohol addiction remains the most pervasive, affecting about 70% of patients.
Doctors cite various triggers for addiction, including peer pressure, mental stress, relationship problems, academic and personal challenges, as well as curiosity and the influence of media.
“Advertisements and movies that glamourise substance use can heavily impact vulnerable youth,” said Dr Adarkar, who stressed the importance of recognising these triggers to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.
On Risk On Unproven Home Treatments
KEM doctors also warn against the risk of unproven home treatments promoted in de-addiction advertisements. Dr Ajita Nayak, head of psychiatry, cautions families against using such methods, which could harm patients further, and instead urges families to consult a trained psychiatrist.
Dr Nayak emphasised the role of families and society in addressing addiction. “Parents need to monitor their children’s social circles, media consumption, and spending habits,” she advised, adding that spending quality time and fostering open communication are vital preventive measures.
Maharashtra
Only Azan will be given from loudspeakers of mosques in Mumbai, construction worker Saumya’s mischief in Shivaji Nagar was an attempt to mislead Muslims: Abu Asim Azmi

Mumbai: In an important meeting of scholars of all ideologies on the loudspeaker controversy in Govind Shivaji Nagar, Mumbai, it was decided that the documents of mosques, schools and madrasas should be certified and along with this, police permission for loudspeakers should also be obtained without any restriction because communal elements, especially Crate Soumya, are trying to spoil the atmosphere of Mumbai city, so he is constantly targeting mosques, schools and madrasas.
Addressing this meeting, Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi said that Crate Soumya is suffering from mosques and Azan. He is promoting communalism to create hatred between Hindus and Muslims, so Muslims need to be careful with him. He said that the way the law was flouted near Maloni Mosque on Ram Navami, DJ was played. He said that today the Constitution is being flouted, so Muslims need to be patient and be ready to work strategically. He said that a meeting should be held with the BMC and Police Commissioner on this issue and they should be made aware of the situation. Along with this, a ban has also been demanded on these miscreants. He further said that the illegal visit of miscreants, especially Krit Soumya, should be stopped.
Former minister and Congress leader Arif Naseem Khan said that we need to correct the documents of mosques, schools and madrasas and respond to them legally. Arif Naseem Khan said that along with the legal documents of madrasas, it is also mandatory to obtain loudspeaker permits. He said that we need to work cautiously and not in passion because communal elements are constantly trying to bring Muslims on the streets and mislead them, but we have to respond to them legally. Arif Naseem Khan proposed that only Azan should be given on loudspeaker and the rest of the speeches should be given using the speakers installed inside the mosque, to which the scholars agreed.
In this meeting, a team of lawyers was formed which will try to sort out the papers and other legal problems of the mosques and then legal action will be taken in this regard. Abu Asim Azmi said that the miscreants have objection only to the loudspeakers of mosques. In this, Raj Thackeray, Krant Soumya, Mangal Prabhat Lodha and Nitish Rane are creating an atmosphere of hatred and are conspiring to lure Muslims and bring them on the streets so that the atmosphere gets spoiled. Muslims need to be vigilant, so my demand is that these hateful leaders should be completely banned and their tours should also be banned so that a peaceful atmosphere is maintained. In this meeting, Maulana Abdul Rahman Ziyai said that legal action has been taken regarding the objection to loudspeakers on mosques. Apart from this, Krant Soumya and other leaders are also targeting madrasas. Their documents are also being investigated, which is completely wrong. However, work is also being done on the authenticity of the documents of madrasas and other issues.
Maharashtra
Sensational shootout in Chembur, search for accused continues, investigation continues to find out who plotted the shootout

Mumbai: A shooting incident on a construction company owner in Chembur Diamond Garden area of Mumbai at 9:50 pm last night created a sensation. Three unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants attacked the builder with a lethal weapon, but Sadru survived the attack and has been admitted to a nearby hospital. The shootout took place when he was passing through Sinha Panvel Highway. Police are investigating who instigated the unidentified assailants to shoot at Sadru and who plotted the shooting. DCP Nunath Dhole said that the search for the assailants is on and a case has been registered after the shootout. Mumbai Police is investigating the case from every angle to find out if Sadru had any personal enmity or malice with anyone. A sketch of the assailants has also been prepared. Mumbai Crime Branch is also conducting a parallel investigation. A police team has been formed to search for the assailants, but no arrests have been made yet. Mumbai Police said that the attackers fled after the firing. Mumbai Police is investigating the CCTV footage as well as the direction in which the shooters fled. Along with searching for the accused, the police has also started gathering information in this regard from informers.
Maharashtra
Threat to Kirit Somaiya… Demand for arrest of Yusuf Ansari within 48 hours, ultimatum to take action against loudspeakers and mosques

Mumbai: BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has once again spread venom by demanding the removal of illegal mosque and loudspeakers in Govindi Shivaji Nagar. He has demanded action against illegal mosques within the limits of Govindi Shivaji Nagar and directed the police to take action against the loudspeakers and said that if action is not taken against the illegal mosque and loudspeakers within 48 hours, the BJP will protest.
Apart from this, the BJP has also demanded action and arrest against Yusuf Ansari, who threatened Kirit Somaiya on social media, and said that the police should arrest Yusuf Ansari immediately. Kirit Somaiya has termed the illegal mosque as land jihad and said that she is not afraid of goons like Yusuf Ansari, but will intensify her protest. Kirit Somaiya has also demanded action against illegal Bangladeshis in Govindi Shivaji Nagar. This mischief of Kirit Somaiya has created a stir in the area. In view of Kirit Somaiya’s visit, the police had made strict security arrangements.
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