Of actors, scorpion stings & snakebites

Hyderabad: Moving over from regular drugs like heroin, LSD, brown sugar, T-town actors and directors reportedly have been taking scorpion stings and snakebites on their tongue to get a new high.

Though they are not easily available in India, they are smuggled from Bangkok and other places, says a source. The cost works out to Rs 20 to 25 lakh per pair of tiny scorpions and snakes which can fit into a glass jar. Besides, they can be hidden in any corner of a house or office, the source adds.

“You can’t easily detect them even if they are placed in front of you on a table. They are tiny and hide behind greens in a bottle. They thrive on costly feed as well,” adds the source. Despite whopping cost, the actors and directors buy them since they can be on a high for nearly 10 to 12 hours.

“They come in twins and addicts take a sting on their tongue and go into a trance for 6 to 7 hours and another sting will prolong their high-flying mood for another 12 hours. Once a person is addicted to this habit, it will be difficult for him/her to give up, since no other substance can substitute it.

They will slip into depression, if they skip the sting. So it’s a life-threatening vice,’ he adds. “Actually, these are customised products and are nurtured very secretively by some Thai citizens. It is a worldwide network and it’s difficult to track down the producers,” the source points out.

Meanwhile, the Telugu Movies Artistes Association is mulling to establish an Anti-Drug Cell to counsel addicts and curb the menace. “The idea is commendable but it is difficult to implement. Because no actor would be willing to come out in open and seek support. Most of the 15-odd addicts are flop actors and actresses.

Since they like to live in a trance believing that they are still saleable stars, but in reality, they are not. They find it difficult to digest this fact. So drugs keep them happy, albeit, momentarily,” he concludes.