Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, July 15: Guruprasad, founder and director of BARC, shared his heart-wrenching story of battling drug addiction for over 17 years.

"Nine years ago, I was in the depths of drug addiction. I was at the edge between life and death," he said. "That’s when I came across a spiritual video that said, ‘Life is between B and D—Birth and Death—but what matters is C, the Choice.’ It struck me deeply."

He continued, “I made the wrong choices—wrong friends, wrong habits—and I paid a heavy price. Addiction destroyed me. It created severe problems in my family, affected my education, work, and health. I wasn’t even aware of the impact of the choices I was making.”

Guruprasad shared how it all began: “It started with cigarettes, offered by seniors, out of curiosity. At home, things were financially difficult. My parents struggled to pay my fees, but they had big dreams for me. I let them down.”

“Wrong friendships led me to that first puff—it felt so good. I didn’t realise when that ‘good’ turned bad, and then worse. If I had known, I would’ve chosen differently. I thought I was being cool, but I was actually the biggest fool,” he admitted.

As addiction consumed him, he began to forget his dreams and family. “My downfall had started. I couldn’t manage work or money. Despite earning, I had to borrow from home. Eventually, I even stole from my own house to feed my addiction. I injected myself with drugs. I even went abroad, but couldn't escape it. I returned, broken.”

“I lost the golden years of my life due to bad choices. I felt ashamed, numb. I wanted to come out of it. I went through multiple rehab programmes. Drugs didn’t just destroy me; they tore my family apart,” he added.

Guruprasad expressed gratitude for initiatives aimed at drug awareness. “I’m happy and proud that the Police Commissioner has taken the initiative to raise awareness. Drugs are a monster—we need to join hands to kill that monster. Say no to drugs, no matter who offers them,” he urged.