AN INCREASE IN THE DRUG ASSISTED TRAVELLING & STREET CRIMINALITIES AS A NOVEL HEALTHCARE PROBLEM OF THE 21ST CENTURY: ONE YEAR DESCRIPTIVE, CROSS-SECTIONAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Background: Poisoning trends are changing in Pakistan, travel and street associated poisoning is novel and emerging in the healthcare as a big issue. This research is first in its kind that deals with the regional issue of the travelling and street used drugs and their poisoning mode. Material & Methods: Research is cross-sectional descriptive in design and it was carried out at Services Hospital, Lahore in the period starting from July 2016 to June 2017 having a sample of one hundred cases, which were enrolled in the research after the fulfilling of prescribed criteria. At the end of the clinical assessment necessary urine test, stomach and blood samples were collected and tested in the laboratory to analyses then chemically and toxicologically. Results: The sample was of one hundred cases selected from the age limit of 15 – 65 years including 84 males (84%) and 16 females (16%). Among the used drugs sixty percent was benzodiazepines, 4% phenobarbitone, 32% opium derivatives; whereas, rat killers were used by a meager 2%, mixed opium derivatives and benzodiazepines. Delivery mode in the poison intake was through soft drinks (54%), food (8%) and fruits (38%) cases. The victimized persons included 60% passengers, 8% Taxi drivers, 20% pedestrians, females 6% attending marriages and six percent others were also affected. Conclusion: Travel and Street associated poisoning cases are emerging issue of the healthcare in Pakistan. Delivery mode is often drinks, food and fruit with a mixture of opium derivatives and benzodiazepines. This occurs because of the awareness level and educational lack, law and order in the poor state, corruption, people attitude and un-employment. Key Words: Crime; Travel; Poisons; Street drugs; Opium; Benzodiazepines and Public Health.