Young Professionals : a drug-free society is possible

Recently, a video showing youngsters beneath a shop under the influence of drugs made a buzz in just a few hours. Today, drugs are affecting the future of our country. Sensitizing campaigns are being done. But, is a drug-free society possible? If yes, what more can be done?

Ameegah Kousita Paul : “The police must act fearlessly”

Legislation, drug-law enforcement, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and community measures are important and interrelated strategies in combating drug abuse among young people, highlights Ameegah.

“The Government must use all the media platforms to propagate against the use of drug-taking. Voluntary organizations could play a huge role by instructing addicts about how to give up the vicious habit and they can also help to bring them back to a normal life, without having to feel any shame or sorrow. Physicians should teach them how to prevent as well as not to get swayed by negative influences and how to lead a healthy life. Parents should pay more attention and give more love to their children. Reading of moral and religious books can also be helpful to addicts.”

She further adds that “the police must act fearlessly against the people involved in drug trafficking. The problem of drug addiction is all the more serious because the addicts are mostly young school or college going boys and girls, the future citizens of our country, on whom the welfare of our people will depend to a  certain extent. So, it is imperative to see that such young boys and girls may by no means fall victims to drug addiction. Drug addiction among young people can be prevented if the youth are taught about its harmful consequences. Once awareness has been created concerning the devastating results of drug abuse, we can ensure that a better and healthier generation will emerge where drugs will have no place.”

Bhavinee Luxmi Ramdhun : “A National Drug Master Plan is needed”

Bhavinee states that the need of the hour is to adopt a proactive behaviour to tackle this issue and to focus on a medium-to-long term solution to an enduring problem since eradicating drugs from our society cannot happen overnight.

“The Government, in collaboration with NGOs and CSR bodies, should come up with a National Drug Master Plan whereby whilst focusing on the elimination of drugs, we should at the same time try to stop their production itself. Young social workers can be trained to spot the affected areas, find out which products are required to manufacture synthetic drugs and control the sale of these merchandises. We should not forget that the mixture of these different products itself gives birth to a deadly compound which gives a feeling of ecstasy to the drug-addicts. Those victims who are willing to ‘surrender to win’ and who desire to give a helping hand to eradicate this social evil or to expose drug-dealers should be given support and be admitted to rehabilitation centres so that they can re-integrate society while others, such as the drug dealers, should be handed over to the law.”

Glorine Maloupe : “Opt for social media platform to create awareness”

Glorine believes that it is high time to think about efficient ways to curb down this social ill. “The circulation of sensible messages comprising of hard images of drug addiction through social networks can make people aware of its consequences. Social networks nowadays act as a portal of good channel of information since already lots of people have a Facebook account. Thus, it is very easy to reach them and to create mass awareness.

Secondly, testimonies of people who earlier were hard drug addicts could be disseminated so as to make young people aware of their problems. These people, with the help of counsellors, can help in solving the problem by giving guidance and educate the youth on drugs effects. Thirdly, civic education could be implemented at an early age so as to help our younger generation be prepared to take good decisions and steer clear of drugs. These measures could help to some extent combat drug proliferation by building a healthy, young generation.”

Keshvin Balloo : “Promote fundamental values”

Massive sensitizing programs undertaken to combat drugs’ consumption have reached a height of exhaustion and those programs are being questioned with regards to their effectiveness throughout the years, says Keshvin.

“During the past few years, it has been disheartening to note that sports activities, fancy fairs and other recreational activities held in localities are on the brink of extinction. Authorities and organizations concerned should make it a must to organise recreational events so as to take out, not only the teenagers but also those at the elementary school from their cocoon. If authorities or organisations are planning an event, they could get the youth involved and create a team spirit. This can result, therefore, in promoting fundamental values as well as propelling them to get involved in voluntary work.”