On a self-destruct mode

THIS refers to Kuldeep Chauhan’s article: "On a self- destruct mode" (December 4). The problem of drug addiction as depicted in the article is very disturbing.

All the naturally-occurring sedatives, narcotics, euphoriants, hallucinogens and excitants were discovered thousands of years ago. By the late Stone Age man was systematically poisoning himself. There were drug addicts before there were farmers.

One of the major reasons for the increase in the incidence of drug abuse in India is that the countries of the Golden Triangle i.e. Burma, Thailand, Laos and of the Golden Moon i.e. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran are transporting illicit drugs to Europe, U.S.A. and West Asia through India. Another reason is the lifestyle of the elite and the affluent. Cocaine is consumed at many parties in Mumbai and Delhi.

In order to control the menace of drug addiction, the government should seal the border along Burma and close down all the laboratories involved in manufacturing heroin along the frontiers. The government should grant financial assistance to voluntary organisations which are engaged in the war against drug addiction. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, should be enforced properly.

AJAY BAGGA
Hoshiarpur

II

The nation is rightly concerned about the growing incidence of drug addiction among its youth and no Indian with the good of the country at heart can refrain from demanding that the government show no mercy to drug peddlers.

It is no exaggeration to say that the craze for drugs has affected almost all sections of the society. Our apathy to the task of prevention and control of drug addiction is depressing.

Research has shown that many people start using drugs for pleasure, some for a sense of adventure, others to escape the realities of life and still others to get momentary relief from socio-economic maladjustments. Young people’s rejection of the cultural and social values due to rapid technological developments, drug-trafficking by anti-social elements and parental neglect are some of the other reasons for the growing addiction.

There has to be a concerted effort to highlight the evil of drug addiction and expose the false glamour that has come to be associated with it. There is an urgent need for an educative process to be started at the individual level so that one can face life’s challenges without recourse to narcotics. A three-pronged approach may prove to be effective: The identification of drug addicts, referral services and rehabilitation of victims. Also, young men and women should be motivated to dissuade their peer groups from taking to the path of drugs. In this context the introduction in the syllabi of a chapter on drug abuse by the universities will be a step in the right direction.

But all the efforts in this respect will come to naught if the drug trade is not curbed. The government will have to deal more harshly with narcotic smugglers. All functionaries involved in checking the sale of drug and preventing drug abuse should work in cooperation with one another.

K.M. VASHISHT
Mansa

III

With charas, marijuana, bhang and hashish becoming the cause of ‘slow death’, it is a sad day for the families of addicts. This unhealthy trend has also caught up with the rural youth.While the young addicts are wrecking their world, social organisations cannot remain silent spectators. The social service activists/NGOs must swing into action to check the menace of drug addiction. They must organise movement against local contraband drug traders/chemists and smugglers who are doing a brisk business by selling drugs.

Since many of the young victims lack parental love and care, the role of parents and teachers assumes significance in ensuring that they do not fall prey to the temptation of taking refuge in drugs.

ONKAR CHOPRA
Abohar

Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh

This is with reference to the write-up ‘Remembering Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh’ by Amar-inder Singh (December 4).

The late Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh helped the people of Punjab at a time of distress but it is a pity that the Punjab Government did not accord suitable recognition to him at the time of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa panth.

NARINDER SINGH "INTERNATIONAL"
Chandigarh

Need for sex education

This refers to Khushwant Singh’s article "Subject that invites censure" (December 4). Indeed we are obsessed with funny notions of social morality and look with suspicion at subjects like sex and sexology. Had sex education been imparted properly, the population programmes carried out in our country would have been more successful, and sex-related crimes reduced to a great extent. It is time we shed our orthodox views and cleared the many misconceptions in the minds of the youth regarding sex.

SURINDER KUMAR
New Delhi