Cases of miscarriage rise among poppy growers
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, November 05 2023: The unwarranted use of synthetic Syntocinon spray in poppy cultivation to increase the yield of opium has adversely affected pregnant women causing frequent miscarriage, said poppy cultivators during an awareness campaign on anti-drugs programmes held at different villages.

Poppy cultivators have observed (though without scientific proof) that Syntocinon drug, which is one of the main supplement ingredients in poppy cultivation might have abruptly affected young women on their menstrual cycles thereby causing abnormal births, even to the extent of premature sterility.

Syntocinon is a man-made injectable ampule which contains oxytocin.

Oxytocin is a hormone, produced naturally by the body to induce labor to a pregnant mother.

Cases of miscarriage rise among poppy growers

The injection is given to a pregnant woman to induce labor at the time of childbirth as it increases the contraction of the uterus and helps the woman in preparation for delivery of a full term baby.

Syntocinon drug mixed water and others were reportedly sprayed during the flowering season to increase the content of opium resin for extraction, revealed poppy cultivators.

The threat of poppy cultivation in the region is not only confined to the environment degradation and social issues related to drug abuse but is gradually affecting the procreative strength of young women of our society, they said.

Meanwhile, CMO, Ukhrul Dr Kapangring said that Syntocinon is a man-made injectable ampule drug that is identical to natural hormone called oxytocin that has direct impact on women in stimulating the muscles of the uterus (womb) to produce rhythmic contraction, or induce labor and further to prevent and control bleeding after delivery.

He said Syntocinon is injected only with the advice of doctors at the time of delivery.

In case the drug elicits side effects such as vomiting, headache and nausea, then one has to consult a doctor immediately before any complicacies arise.

The same medicines have to be sold only with a doctor's prescription, stated the CMO.

However, Dr Yaruiyam, gynaecologist, stated that although there were cases of miscarriage in the district hospital, it has no relation with poppy cultivation.

Meanwhile, DFO Ukhrul, Shangam Shaliwo informed that reports of spraying Syntocinon drug first came from Leinganching, Thawai and Thawai Kuki areas of Kamjong district in their poppy farms for the purpose of increasing opium yield.

Reportedly, cases of miscarriage also occurred in Shikiphung village as well as many isolated unconfirmed reports in the adjoining neighbouring villages situated downhill of the poppy cultivated areas. According to Ukhrul District Forest survey records, over 2341.2 hectares of land were under poppy cultivation in Ukhrul and Kamjong and has been extended to the villages of Chepu Yaolen Molnom Shongphel Range, Mongkot Chepu Range, Molnom Range, Sinakeithel Range, Litan Sareikhong, Thawai Range, Khamasom Range, Sihai Longpi Range and western villages of Ukhrul.