Experts throw light on reasons behind youths taking to drugs

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 21

A two-day programme, which is being organised by Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Punjab, in association with Zila Parishad, commenced here on Monday.

Experts, who delivered lectures during the inauguration of the capacity-building programme, were unanimous that the breakdown of the joint family system, rapid urbanisation and commercialisation of society were some of the main reasons behind a large number of youths taking drugs.

It is aimed at training those teachers who teach in government schools of the district. They will get training on how to prevent drug addiction. Assistant Commissioner (General) Anamjot Kaur said there were many reasons responsible for youths taking intoxicants. These were the breakdown of the joint family system, missing love of parents in modern families, ignoring children, lack of moral values, commercialisation of society and fast urbanisation.

People in the age group of 18 to 35, who are stuck in this quagmire, have ruined themselves. The government can save the country from external attacks, but not those youngsters who are unable to quit drugs. So our society needs to unite and tackle this menace.

District Education Officer Salvinder Singh Samra asked teachers to be positive in their attitude. He said in the report released in Vienna in 2002, the International Control Board exposed that people who ate opium in India were now taking heroin. He appealed to the teachers to be aware of the ill-effects of drugs.

Guidance Counsellor-cum-District Nodal Officer Buddy Program Parminder Singh Saini said a teacher could play an important role in shaping the future of students. District Master Trainer Mukesh Kumar said the future of the country was in the hands of teachers. They could make students aware of the diseases such as AIDS, Hepatitis B and C and TB caused by intoxication. He said punishments had been made stricter to eliminate the menace.

The programme is being held under the leadership of Dr SP Joshi, Regional Director, on behalf of Jalandhar Regional Centre of MGSIPA.