Avoid alcohol in family functions to prevent children from drinking'

Mangalore, June 27: Until and unless enacted laws are strictly followed by government officials, eradication of drug abuse is not possible. Hostels have turned into hubs of drug supply due to which, most students are getting addicted to drugs. In order to eradicate drug addiction, elders should present themselves as role models, said Ivan D'souza, Advocate, and Secretary of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

He was addressing students on 'International Day Against Drug Abuse' held at Town Hall, here on Monday. He also said that condition of society has become so worse that even medical shops have started to sell tobacco products as they gain profit in it.

While speaking on the impact of drugs Iren Rebello, Skill Development and Livelihood Expert, D U D C, Mangalore, said that one of the prominent causes for underdevelopment of our country is drug addiction in youngsters, due to which an individual fails to identify his own skills and abilities and engages himself in antisocial activities.

Parents should also intervene and keep an eye on their child's pocket money spending, she advised. One of the best ways to keep oneself away from drugs is indulging in physical fitness activities, attending social welfare works etc, she informed.

However she admitted that one of the main causes of drug addiction is peer influence, because of which, children start drinking and smoke in order to fit into the norms of that group. Presenting her own example, she urged the students that if their family is into drug addiction then they should learn to fight against it rather than following their footsteps. She also blamed parents for drinking alcohol in family functions which triggers the urge to drink in children.

Dr. Ravish Thunga, Psychiatrist and Director Manaswini, Mangalore spoke on impact of drugs on mental health.

An oath was administered in order to help the drug addicts to come out of their ill habit, keeping oneself away from drugs and contributing to building a drugs-free society to all the students who were present at the venue.

The programme was organized by Link Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts, Mangalore in collaboration with ACCEPT, RRTC South Zone II, Kerala, Women and Child Development Department, Govt. of Karnataka and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

Judi Mascarenis, Treasurer, Link AAAC , Dayavathi, Block Educational Officer, Mangalore, and Dr. Satheesh Rao, President, Link AAAC were present on the dais.

Students from different colleges were present occupying. Songs to create drug abuse awareness were sung by Tiruchitta Kalakadda team.