Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (CLP)
Mangaluru, Jun 27: Over a hundred students participated in the collage making competition to commemorate International Anti-Drug Day organized by Vikas PU College at its premises here on Saturday June 27.
The students of 9th and 10th standards of various schools of Mangaluru participated in the collage making competition held on the topic 'Say no to alcohol and drugs/smoking'.
The event was organized in collaboration with Mangaluru police department and Dr Sharanappa, superintendent of police was the chief guest.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Sharanappa said, "When I visited the competition venue, I saw students busy making collages expressing the depth of their thoughts and conveying a message to society about the adverse effects of drug addiction. Every year United Nations marks June 26 as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. A majority of the victims of drug abuse are youth in the age group of 15-30 years. After the age of 30 they become more responsible and addiction will be under control. Any drug taken other than for medical reason constitutes drug abuse.
"The first victim of drug abuse is the addict, followed by the family. Parents love their kids and give them freedom, hoping that their children would make them proud by excelling in education and career, but the moment the attention of the parents gets diverted, children become prone to get into bad company and cultivate bad habits. The education centres also have to be pro-active in this regard. If any illegal activitiy comes to their attention, they have to inform the police," he added.
"There are several kinds of drugs, but I do not wish to explain them as it creates curiosity among students. When we were studying we had no clue about drugs. Parents have to be in regular touch with their children. They have to be facilitators for their children's prosperity. Parents have to visit their kids staying in hostels once a month and observe the friends circle of the child. They also have to look at the surroundings to perceive any possible exposure to drugs," he added
"In India 34 lac people are victims of drug abuse. Parents have to curb drug addiction at the initial stage itself. In India drug abuse is less compared to other countries due to cultural factors influencing our daily life. In Mangaluru, ganja is more prevalent among the addicts, but the refined drugs supply is very less," he said.
"The central government, the state government and the police are putting in all their efforts to reduce trafficking of drugs at the border from nations like Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam etc. India is the best market for drugs produced in these countries," he added.
"Graduation years are the most vulnerable time of a student's life, and parents have to be more careful during this period. Another worrying part is even women are nowgetting addicted to alcohol and smoking. Parents have to educate their children about the adverse effects of drugs and smoking. On International Anti-Drug Day all have to try and prevent the spread of drug addiction," he concluded.
Dr K Rajendra, principal of Vikas PU College, Ananth Prabhu, professor of Vikas PU College and others were present.