O YOUTH! O STUDENTS! READ THIS NOW : DRUG PREVENTION IS EASIER, CURE IS DIFFICULT.

Opinion

 22./02/2016.

 237.

All Members,

Respected family members of this great holy Nation.

Sub : -  O YOUTH! O STUDENTS! READ THIS NOW :
Divine Life Society 

Ref : -  DRUG PREVENTION IS EASIER, CURE IS DIFFICULT.

1. DRUGS & WHAT THEY DO :

Offered in the service of the students and Youth of India and in the cause of our Nation's health and for the safety and protection of our country.

2. BELIEVE IT OR NOT :

Today there are more than 1,00,600 drug addicts in Bombay alone.

5 of them die each day owing to repeated intake of lethal drugs.

The parents of nearly all young addicts never imagined that their sons or daughters could fall victims to this dangerous vice.

Yes, we all thought that drug addiction was an evil of the West. It is here now-right in our midst. You have a chance to save others and yourself through awareness and knowledge of the hazards of Drug Addiction.

WARNING! BEWARE!

3. Types of dangerous Drugs :

NAME

Heroin (also known as Brown Sugar, Thai White, White, Smack, Gard), Hash (also known as Hashish, Charas), Marijuana (also known as Grass Ganja) Bhang, Cocaine (also known as Coke, Snow), Cocaine + Heroin called Speed-bailing, Opium (also known as Ope, Chandu, Medak), LSD/Mescaline (Magic Mushrooms Amphetamines Dexedrine (also known as Speed or Amphetamines). Methaqualone (also known as Mandra or Mandies) 1. Morphine 2. Pethidine 3. Diazepam 4. Fortwin.

Above are the gravely dangerous drugs that are degrading young people and destroying their health, welfare and life.

NOTE: Tranquilizers and sedatives available as chemicals are also highly addictive in nature and should not be taken without specific & reliable medical advice.

4. WHAT IS BROWN SUGAR? :

Chemically brown sugar is a semi-synthetic highly adulterated form of heroin. It is one of the most highly addictive, most cheaply available and most lethal of drugs. It is a highly tolerant and easily obtainable substance. The coffee-brown snuff-like powder comes in a small vial or in small wrappings of tissue paper commonly known as "Pudis".

"BROWN SUGAR? NO SORRY" MUST BE THE REPLY OF EVERY CHILD. 
"BRING AWARENESS"

The problem of brown sugar addiction has reached such alarming proportions that there are schools in the city outside which the drug peddlers sell their wares. So it is not just roadside children who are affected. Because brown sugar is so freely available, there is every chance that your child will one day be offered the drug. He or she must be made well aware of the evil effects to be able to refuse it. And it is up to parents and teachers to alert them of the dangers.

5. WHAT LEADS TO DRUG ADDICTION?

1. Emotional. Insecurity, Lack of Love:

Nobody takes to drugs in order to become an addict. They are usually taken in order to escape from problems that are either real or imaginary. Lack of parental love at home, impaired and tense relationships between parents and dictatorial handling of children have been traced out as significant root causes.

2. Misuse of Money-Lack of Guidance:

Easy availability of and access to money are equally dangerous. They lead to habits such as cigarette-smoking the first step to drug addiction. The next stage, hash-smoking sets in easily. The 'culture mix' you belong to, will make you try more and more 'harmless' experiments. Proper guidance is required.

3. Curiosity of Experimentation is the most common cause.

4. Peer Pressure.

6. ARE THERE GIRLS WHO ABUSE DRUGS? WHAT IS THE RATIO?

Most drug addicts are male, but there are several girls hooked on the drug too. Most girls on the drug are persuaded by their boy friends to try it. Few try it out of frustration. The ratio is 1:25.

7. COMMON SOURCES:

Beware of Drug peddlars who usually operate from 'Joints' which are mainly in the economically backward area.

8. AVOID COMMON SITUATIONS:

In schools and colleges, beware of friends who call you a 'sissy' or 'chicken' for not indulging in their 'pastimes'. Never accept cigarettes from them--these may contain drugs. A few strong puffs are enough and you can become a hopeless addict. Be wise and learn to say NO. Always remember your friends are in a trap and they want you trapped too!

9. CAN YOU IDENTIFY A DRUG ADDICT? 
YES, CERTAINLY.

1. Your child may not easily admit that he or she is taking brown sugar, but you can recognise the evidence in the following early warning signs:

2. Pin-point pupils even at night (after a joint).

3. Loss of appetite and loss of weight (upto 35 Kg, in two years). This can also happen due to preference of the drug over food.

4. Immediately on awakening in the morning, he may rush out of the house with a sense of urgency or may dash to the bathroom where he will take brown sugar.

5. He will take longer periods of time in the toilet--either because of constipation, or because he is enjoying a joint.

6. Personal neglect in the form of uncut nails, unkept hairs, decreased frequency of bathing, poor dental hygiene.

7. His clothing may bear holes made by burning cigarettes.

8. Sudden craving of sweets.

9. Suddenly he spends late nights out.

10. A new set of friends may start, frequenting the residence; Or there may be phone calls from new friends.

11. His demands both emotional and monetary may increase.

12. Frequent mood fluctuations ranging from grandiosity to bouts of depression.

13. Playing truant from school/Absenteeism from college or place of work.

14. Occasional bouts of vomiting.

15. Drooping eyelids or mouth partially open.

16. Sexual Promiscuity (initially) later impotence.

17. Compulsive lying.

18. Loss of sleep punctuated with hours of coughing.

19. Manipulations, justifications and rationalisation.

20. Loose tobacco unburnt in the ash tray, when brown sugar is filled in a cigarette to make a joint, a little tobacco is removed. Cigarette butts are burnt right up to the filter because an addict does not waste even a speck of the smack, (brown sugar).

21. Direct evidence in the form of a pudi, a vial; stained coin, candle, foil, chaser may also be found. These are used for 'chasing'--where the powder is poured on to a silver foil usually a cigarette wrapping. A matchstick or candle is held underneath to warm it. The powder turns liquid and the vapour is 'chased' or inhaled through a pipe.

22. Cold turkeys when he does not get the drug. When suffering from cold turkeys, there is watering of the eyes, running nose, sneezing, coughing, yawning, loose motions, goose flesh, fever, pain in the abdomen, back joint, calves, dilated pupils, mental confusion, psychoses, restlessness, anxiety, muscular twitchings, increased pulse rate.

23. Household articles and personal belongings will seem to disappear repeatedly.

24. Scratch marks on limbs and face due to constant itching. (This is due to Histamine release).

25. Hollowed eyes and dark circles under the eyes.

26. Tightening of skin on the face.

27. Burnt fingertips of thumb, forefinger and middle finger (commonly seen in chasers, one year plus, due to burning of the matchstick till the end.)

28. Needle-marks or Abscesses on the forearms (some addicts always wear full sleeved clothes even in summer to hide these).

29. The addict will have a zombie look, with glassy eyes.

10. THE DANGERS OF BROWN SUGAR :

Medically it can lead to respiratory tract infections like turberculosis, bronchitis, bronchiectasis and cancer.

        * AIDS and viral hepatitis are spread by drug addicts who inject.

        * Brown sugar causes impotence (reversible)

        * It can also lead to abscesses, infections of the heart, lungs and brain.

Are there any adverse personality changes in addicts?

    Yes. They display anti-authority behaviour, socially deviant behaviour, suffer from depression, harbour suicidal thoughts which may initially lead to threats and sometimes to action. They also indulge in manipulative behaviour and compulsive lying.

11. IS THERE A CURE?

Yes, provided the motivation to give up is strong enough. Giving up the drug is easy but staying away needs tremendous will power. And medication alone is not enough. It must be combined with love, understanding, patience and prayer. Please bear in mind, no addict can be forced (physically or emotionally) to give up his drugs. Force only catalyses disaster. You should consult a psychotherapist/psychiatrist. He would resort to psychotherapy as a follow-up measure extending about 4-6 months.

Narcotics anonymous gives good scope for group therapy. Cure is not possible without parental participation and faith in God. Mere hospitalisation is not the answer. Religion therapy and family therapy provide the best results. Please do not force the child into a hospital. It can do more harm than good.

12. TYPES OF MEDICAL TREATMENT :

1. Motivation.

2. Detoxification (withdrawal of drugs).

3. Supportive psychotherapy counselling by experts.

4. Family therapy, group therapy and religion therapy.

5. Rehabilitation facilitated through narcotics Anonymous Group, halfway homes or live in centres.

6. Day Care Centres.

7. The said truth about Drug Addiction:-Every recovered drug addict is just one trip away from his former self. Just one 'trip' and he will relapse.

13. DRUG AWARENESS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL :

1. At college campus celebrations organisers should ensure that freedom is not misused.

2. Indulgence in addictive drinks/drugs during festivals should be avoided. It can easily make an ex-addict revert back to drugs.

3. Teachers in schools should allocate a certain period in a week for talking to students on the hazards of Drug Addiction.

4. Posters and messages in Society Notice Boards of residential buildings can be effective.

5. Organise Work-shop sessions in your neighbourhood with the help of Narcotherapists / psychotherapists / social workers.

6. Law enforcing agents at all levels should be committed and more vigilant.

14. INDIA NEEDS STRONG, DRUG FREE YOUTH :

More than ever before, India's future depends on the strength and dynamism of its youth. In a fast-changing world accelerated by new advances in electronic technology only a dynamic exuberant generation can put India on a strong footing. Save youth from drugs, save India.

15. HIGH MORALS AND BETTER INDIAN CULTURE CAN HELP FIGHT DRUGS  :

A strong religious base combined with strong family ties and high morals can help wrench out this evil from our society. Both, preventive and Rehabilitation procedures depend strongly on these factors.

NOTE -

1. Vigilence on small  shops near schools / coleges and other educational institutions,

2. Severe  punishment for drug traficing and mafia involved,

3. Continuous awareness programmes to Teachers, Parents and Students,

4. State Governments  squads to check this danger.

My Viewpoints-

1. Never allow children remain alone,

2. Check the companions / friends,

3. Never allow the  children remain idle,

4. Always engage them, in positive, progressive  small  activities,

5. Encourage hobbies,

6. Encourage extra curricular activities at schools, 

7. Periodic parent teacher meetings along children,

8. Weakly or monthly reports of children to the parents,by tha class  teachers,

9. Strangers and unauthorised persons should not be allowed to enter Schools / Colleges, and other educational institutions .

10. Class  student leader must note the movements of the students out of class  hours.

11. Spiritual classes essential,

12. Educational institutions of Sri Ramakrishna mission, Chinmaya mission  and Amrita madam, etc., are conducting special programmes, other schools may follow them 

END.

Thank you for reading

 JAIHIND.

Next with another topic.