Alarming rise in drug abuse among youth
Tribune News Service
Shimla, June 25
With the rising alcohol and drug addiction among adolescents in the state capital being a major cause of concern, medical experts and counsellors have stressed the need for coming out of the denial mode and imbibing strong family values so that children to not fall prey to peer pressure.
The Department of Psychiatry and Community Medicine organised a function on the eve of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
“Drugs have the ability to affect one’s mood and can lead to serious mental ailments, including anxiety, depression, aggression and heart diseases,” he said. Principal, IGMC, Shimla, Dr KP Chaudhary was the chief guest.
Revealing the statistics obtained during a study titled 'Prevalence and pattern of substance abuse in Himachal Pradesh” by various departments of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Dr Anmol Gupta said peer pressure was one of the main factors for rising drug addiction.
He said figures revealed that 29.3 per cent youngsters in the state were found to be addicted to cigarette, gutka and khaini while 24.4 per cent were alcoholic. The percentage of those taking cannabis (charas) was alarming at 20.8 per cent while 3.4 per cent youngsters were found to be addicted to opium.
“It is high time we stop denying that there is no drug problem among the youth as constructive and consistent efforts by teachers, parents can make a difference,” said Dr Ravi Sharma from the Department of Psychiatry. He said strong family values and traditions can go a long way in saving the youth from drugs.
In an another study titled 'Behavioural, Emotional and Physical Health Risks in Adolescent School Children in Shimla-2014', it was found that drug intake among male students was 3.1 per cent. “Peer pressure from friends who are already into drugs and failure in coping with studies emerged as two single-most important factors for the youth falling prey to drugs,” said Dr Gupta.
The experts pointed out that the easy availability of drugs and cigarettes, especially near educational institutions, despite laws banning any such sale was another reason. They felt that stringent action and consistent monitoring would help contain the problem.
