Call for Help, Not Cameras ! NADC Issues Urgent Plea After Distressed Youths Filmed

The National Agency for Drug Control (NADC) has issued a stern directive to the public: stop filming victims of drug distress and start calling emergency services. The appeal follows the circulation of a social media video showing three young people, including two minors, in a state of “absolute distress” on a public road.

The NADC warns that the urge to document such incidents on smartphones rather than seeking medical help is delaying life-saving interventions.

Furthermore, the agency noted that sharing such content worsens the stigma surrounding victims, making it significantly harder for them to access necessary care.

A Critical Medical Emergency

Preliminary analyses suggest the youths in the video were suffering from “acute neurotoxic effects” likely caused by synthetic drugs.

Dr Faizal Sulliman, CEO of the NADC, highlighted the extreme danger of these new substances currently circulating.

The agency categorized these situations as “absolute medical emergencies,” noting that users are left in a state of critical vulnerability. The risks associated with these substances include:

• Severe respiratory failure
• Convulsions
• Irreversible neurological damage
• Immediate risk of death

“The public must understand that the priority is to provide help by calling 114 or the police,” Dr Sulliman stated.

Intensified Response Strategy

In response to the rise of such incidents, the NADC has announced an escalation of its “riposte strategy.”

Key measures include strengthening the synergy between the Ministry of Health and law enforcement to ensure faster intervention in public spaces.

Frontline staff are also being provided with updated information on emerging drug variants.

The agency is also implementing increased surveillance to track distribution methods and identify geographical hotspots, with a particular focus on protecting minors.

Community and School Outreach

To combat the crisis at its roots, the NADC is accelerating prevention programmes within schools and local communities.

This massive awareness campaign aims to educate the population on neurological risks, how to recognise the early signs of an overdose, and the vital survival reflexes required during an emergency.

In any instance of public distress, officials urge citizens to

📞Dial 114, 112, or 999 Immediately.

Source: Le Mauricien