Despite historic bans, south Asia still struggles with pesticide suicides

Dear Editor,

As expected, our country contributes significantly to the suicide numbers by pesticides. As a GP in the city I do see very frequently youngsters, both boys and girls of adolescent age, committing suicide with the available pesticides. Along with the pesticides other agents like floor & bath room cleaning agents, paint thinners, etc, are commonly used. Many of these suicides are for reasons such as - boy and girl involved in love across different religions and caste, anger with the parents for not getting pocket money or not sending them out with other friends, not getting the desired dress, etc. Husband and wife arguing with each other for silly reasons is also common. Unable to meet the financial commitments, financial loss in enterpreneurship wherein whole family yields to the method of consuming chemicals. Very sad but is there another way out? There is a distress call service - psychiatric help may help a few, but in these present cruel competitive times I am not sure we will be able to help.

And some of the newer agents do not have antidotes. There should be bold display of the same and also pictures - like on cigarette packs.

regards
mohan