How to Fight Drug Abuse in Youngsters: Crack Down on Suppliers, Build Affordable Rehabs
Cocaine, Mephedrone, Ecstasy are today as easily available as ice cream. Phone numbers of suppliers are in public domain. Rapid pace of life, lack of parental supervision due to long work hours can push children towards drug use. Despite multiple agencies tracking the ‘supply’, drugs remain easily available. Many parent groups, like the Naga Mothers Association, have tried to build a national movement against drug abuse. The audacity to hold rave parties reflects the lack of fear of the drug control agencies, writes Dr Harish Shetty.
Not so long ago, a 14-year-old was sitting in front of me and staring at the floor. The parents complained their son would often get aggressive without any apparent provocation. Twenty years ago, I would have tried to look into academic distress, parental pressure or teenage turmoil as probable reasons. This time, I first asked for a urine test for drugs.
The teenager tested positive for cannabis (a plant whose leaves give us bhang, flowering tops ganja, and the resin charas). Many hoodwink their parents by using the urine sample of friends who are clean.
The parents were shocked—they were caring and compassionate. The boy confessed that he was befriended by some older kids pursuing engineering, who got him to smoke weed.
Similarly, many parents get confused when they discover eye drops in their kids’ bags. Eye drops are used to mask red eyes, a result of cannabis use.
These are common stories across Indian metros. Most of these young boys and girls do not need a rehabilitation centre. They can do well with counselling because cannabis is largely not addictive and seldom causes dependence.
We need a massive ‘mental health movement’ that includes war against drug use. Schools need to have a progressive policy where the addicted child is viewed as a victim and provided support. Children should be imparted life skills and taught yoga and mindfulness to lead a healthy and productive life.
But what I’m reading here of late is that it us okay to use weed since it is legal to use in some countries and everyone should stay chill coz all engineering colleges n high school kids use weed. So why the need to counsel also…let them use weed …weed hi Toh hai
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