Mangalore: He overcame drug addiction to reunite with family...
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)
Mangalore, Feb 18: Even as concerns are raised over the menace of drug addiction haunting the city, especially in the wake of the suicide of a young girl last month, here is a heart-warming story of a youngster who got addicted to drugs but managed to overcome it after years of struggle.
“I have found my lost brother and I am seeing him after six years. Our family had thought he had died and had no hopes of getting him back,” said an emotional Nabin Chatri, brother of the reformed man.
Deepak's transformation
Deepak with his brother Nabin and Joseph of Snehalaya
In a nutshell, Deepak Chatri, an Assamese, was addicted to narcotics and left his hometown years ago. He started wandering from place to place before finally reaching the city and getting rehabilitated by the city-based Snehalaya Charitable Trust. After he got a new lease of life, he was sent to his native place.
Deepak has two brothers and a sister. As his father was working for the forest department, he was well-provided for in terms of education and food. Deepak was addicted to narcotic substances like correction fluids, gum, and others since class 4 which increased in intensity as he grew up.
Deepak also had a craze for guitar and was a talented musician. “He used to often go out with his friends for parties where he used to take drugs,” said his brother Nabin Chatri who was in the city recently to receive his brother.
Deepak’s addiction to drugs got so bad that he left his house six years ago and finally reached Mangalore three years ago and was found by Joseph, head of Snehalaya near Marnemikatta. Deepak was seen near a shop at Marnemikatta with torn clothes, long beard, and unkempt hair. He used to buy 4 to 5 gum tubes a day from the shop. Looking at his condition, the locals called Joseph who admitted him to Yenepoya hospital in Deralakatte.
Six years of treatment and counselling completely transformed Deepak. It was then that Joseph of Snehalaya, with the help of Google maps, located his place and contacted his family members. Joseph says that Deepak is fully out of drug addiction.
The reunion of the brothers was a heart-touching moment. Amidst smiles and tears of joy, Deepak agreed to go back home with his brother and start his life all over again.
Deepak, on seeing his brother, said that he would never get into drugs again. “Any work I get, I will do it sincerely and live happy with my family,” he said.