The misuse of Phostoxin, a pesticide that is freely bought without a prescription despite legal regulations, has led to an increase in the number of suicides. In the first two months of the year alone, seven suicide attempts with the use of Phostoxin were reported, where only two minors survived. Easy access to this deadly substance, despite legal restrictions, highlights a serious public health issue. Professionals from various fields, including medicine, toxicology and psychology, emphasize the urgent need for stricter control and public awareness to combat this trend. The increase in the number of suicides is related to social indifference and loss of trust in institutions. Is it time to open the debate on the banning of Fostoxina in Albania?
Seven cases of attempted suicide by self-poisoning with Fostoksin have been registered across the country in the first two months of this year alone.
Of the 7 cases published in the media and reported by the Police, only two minors, a 15-year-old from Fieri and a 17-year-old from Elbasan, were able to receive medical help in time and survive the self-poisoning. The other five people who ended their lives, four of whom are women, used Fostoxina to end their lives (a 61-year-old and an 18-year-old from Lushnja, while the other people who died were from Dimali (45 years old), Durrës (41 years old) and Berat (45 years old)).
Tritan Shehu, formerly a doctor and former Speaker of Health in the Parliament of Albania, tells "Sinjalizo" that in Albania a psychological connection has been created between Fostoxina and people who intend to undertake the act of self-sacrifice. This agricultural medicine has become the trigger and the "solution" for these people to end their lives.
If those who have decided to end their lives by self-poisoning do not undergo medical attention in the first hour after consuming phostoxin, their stomachs manage to absorb all the toxin and the fight to survive is lost, says Shehu .
The number of suicides and attempts to end life in Albania has changed from year to year. The State Police through an official response to "Sinjalizo" indicates that in the past year, 2023, 96 people committed suicide throughout the country by consuming Fostoxin, throwing from the height of buildings, suffocation with a rope, suffocation in river and by means of the use of the weapon. Also, 70 cases are still pending.
How easy is it to find Fostoxina in Albania?
The Albanian law "On the protection of plants" defines phostoxin as a very poisonous and high-risk 'herb', whose trade cannot be carried out unless the buyer is provided with a prescription from an agronomist. Despite these stipulations in the law, this dangerous poison for anyone's life can be freely purchased near agricultural pharmacies by anyone without the need for a prescription from an agronomist.
Met Salliu, a farmer in the field of Myzeqe, (Golem, Lushnje) tells "Sinjalizo" that the necessary amount of this poison that he needs for the agricultural products planted, he gets from the traders he knows and he does not even need proof that he is a farmer , nor the recipe of the agronomist.
"When we go to the agricultural pharmacy, they ask us for our identity card and ask us what we do",- says Salliu, adding that one kg of this imported agricultural poison costs 4000 thousand old lek. This poison is mainly used to treat wheat, beans and to preserve grains.
In a study conducted by toxicologist Zihni Sinaj and his colleagues, it is shown how during the period 2013-2019, doctors faced 140 deaths of minors and adults due to phostoxin, purchased in agricultural pharmacies.
Miga Mataragu, a toxicologist, tells "Sinjalizo" that Fostoksina remains easily accessible in the country.
"The problem is that it is easily found everywhere and can be bought by anyone", - says Mataraku, while for Tritan Shehu there is an immediate need to remove this poison from the Albanian pharmacy and replace it with other less toxic pesticides. He says for "Sinjalizo" that for years he has been raising his voice in Parliament for the ban on the circulation of this poison, but the calls have fallen on deaf ears, facing the indifference of politics towards people's lives.
"It is mandatory that we also follow what other countries are doing that have removed it from agricultural use. On the other hand, the problem is that you find phostoxin on the street, you find it in kiosks, you find it in stalls, but it is very strong. Even medical medications are given by prescription, while people take phostoxin and find it wherever it is", - concludes Shehu.
Psychologist Arjana Muçaj tells "Sinjalizo" that the increase in the number of suicides in the country is related to the indifference of Albanian society and the loss of trust in state institutions. According to her, the suicide figures are indicators of the social and economic depression in which the Albanian society is located.
"Living between the anxiety of the unknown of how others will react, but also the forms of experiencing stress for a long and continuous period leads individuals to forms of depression, hopeless to succeed, leading to the loss of life or self-harm", - says Mucaj.
Suicides over the years
Suicide is not a little-known problem in Albanian society. According to data made public by INSTAT and the Institute of Public Health, in 2022 the largest number of suicides were committed by people with mental health illnesses.
"Approximately 130 deaths were caused as a result of mental illnesses, where the highest number of suicides is in the age group of 20-44 years, followed by 45-64 years and 65-79 years",- it is said in RELEASE, where it is emphasized that two years ago no case of suicide was registered by people under 20 who had mental health problems.
In January, "Signal" through the publication of the article "So much stress, so few psychologists" highlighted the problem related to patients with mental health problems, who fail to receive the full service provided by Community Mental Health Centers, Psychiatric Hospitals and psychologists. Among this chain of receiving medical Services, there is no coordination or harmony for the proper provision of the service, making it difficult to come to the aid of the patient.
In 2018 the mortality rate as a result of suicide in the country was 4.5 deaths per 100 thousand inhabitants. Meanwhile, in 2016 and 2017, Albania recorded 5.4 deaths per 100 inhabitants as a result of suicide.
In order to address the problem of suicides in Albania and to ensure the lives of citizens, it is important to take immediate and coordinated measures by state institutions, civil society and the community as a whole. In this regard, it is necessary to deepen public awareness about the risk of using toxic substances such as Fostoxina, promoting care and responsibility for the life and health of every individual.
This article was created based on input provided by individuals who have chosen to speak up. Share your story, empower others and be an agent for change. Visit the website: www.acqj.al/sinjalizo-dhe-ti/
