One youth died and three others have been hospitalised in Kerala after they allegedly consumed an antipsychotic drug along with alcohol.
17-year-old Vipin Das, a resident of Kaipamangalam in Thrissur district collapsed when he returned home on Sunday evening. Though he was rushed to the hospital immediately, Vipin did not survive.
Vipin’s friends and neighbours, Akshay, Harilal and Anil, aged between 17 and 18, were hospitalised after they complained of dizziness.
The police recovered empty strips of the drug Quetiapine from an empty plot near their home, where the foursome met and consumed alcohol.
Irinjalakkuda DySP Merin Joseph told The News Minute that after they consumed alcohol together at the plot, Vipin went away with another friend and consumed more during the day.
“According to their statements, a friend of one of the boys supplied them with the drug. They were told that consuming the drug with alcohol would increase the high. They say that after consuming alcohol with them for some time, Vipin had gone off with another friend,” she said.
Quetiapine, an antipsychotic drug is a scheduled drug, available only with a prescription. The police have identified the friend who supplied the drug to the group.
“We have also identified the medical store in Valappad from where this friend got the drug. So far we have learnt that this boy did not possess a prescription. The medical store owner can be booked under section 304 if this is proven," Merin said.