Reformed, 15-year-old wants to go back to school

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, July 12

He is only 15 years’ old and had been addicted to drugs for around two years. He misbehaved with his labourer father many times when he refused to give him money for drugs. Today, after treatment, he was released from the Red Cross De-addiction Centre here and he promised to get good marks in two subjects in which he had failed in the Class X examinations this year due to addiction.

“I do not know exactly when I started taking habit-forming tablets. But I had been in the trap of drugs for around two years. I want to go back home at the earliest because after staying here I have learnt the value of time and I want to clear the two subjects in which I failed during the Class X board exams,” said Kulbir (name changed).

Kulbir belongs to Gujran village of the district. He initially started taking “zarda” (flavoured tobacco) after stealing it from the pocket of his father’s trousers. But later he started smoking “sulfa” and it continued for around one year. He fell into the trap of habit-forming tablets around one year back. Though the family noticed his abnormal behaviour, but could not do anything as Kulbir even misbehaved with his parents many times whenever they tried to get him treated.

“After knowing about his addiction from his father, I convinced Kulbir to get admitted to the centre. Due to addiction, he failed in two subjects in his Class X exams,” said Sukhpal Kaur, aunt of Kulbir.

Director of the centre Mohan Sharma said Kulbir was admitted to the centre on May 18 and within days he responded well to the treatment. Today after completion of his course, he was sent back to his house.

“I have given him my mobile number and asked him to stay in touch. He has promised me to inform me if he sees any addict of his age in his village,” said Sharma.