Eye-opening, positively provocative
| Date :22-Sep-2023 |
Readers’ response
Dr Nishikant Kotwal
Well done, The Hitavada. It is an excellent effort by ‘The Hitavada’ to save the younger generation from the tentacles of drugs. Drug addiction and racket thereof have very unique marketing style. The consumer himself promotes it in a subtle way ‘to celebrate good occasion or bad occasion’. To earn his quota, the addict traps others by behaving like a ‘Good Samaritan’. The hooked one hooks others. Drugs addiction is a huge thing, as dramatic as portrayed in the film ‘Udta Punjab’. Situation is the sameeverywhere in the world. Basic human nature of not accepting the reality and, unfortunately, moving away from problems is the issue. Everything is temporary in this world, even our sorrows. One has to take control of one’s life. Else, no one else can help. ‘The Hitavada’ reports are truly a wake up call.
We elect our representatives -- MLA, MP, Minister -- to make our world safe. They take oath of serving the society and making it safe. They have machinery at hand. They must act tough to curb the menace. Adolescent Health Academy, a chapter of Indian Academy of Paediatrics conducts multiple programmes all over India for awareness and prevention of drug addiction. We go to schools and colleges and make our special presentations on drug addiction, sexuality, depression, exam anxiety, relationships to make adolescent’s world better. All the citizens including parents, teachers, elected representatives need to work together in a safe environment and save millions of lives from addiction of drugs. On behalf of Adolescent Health Academy, we wish to congratulate ‘The Hitavada’ for the initiative. (National Advisor, Adolescent Health Academy)
Tejinder Singh Renu
Drugs menace is a collective failure. The criminals get engaged because of easy money. A few corrupt elements in the police and the administration help criminals, but the cause still remains easy money. However. I believe that the society, the buyers, the end-users are the most responsible for drugs menace. Because, if customers are not there, the cartel will automatically be finished. Usually, the youngsters become easy prey when someone within the group takes advantage of trust and mixes drugs in any drink. Gradually, such a person becomes an addict, and a permanent customer. In my view, this is the mode adopted mostly to grow this illegal trade and customers therein.
Nowadays, even the high-end parties offer drugs to their guests. Such a culture might be fun for a few hours, but damages the society to the point of no return. It is a cancer spreading fast and if society and administration collectively do not take harsh steps, a large chunk of the society cannot be stopped from getting getting affected. We need tough laws and punishment for drug traffickers. Even the conviction rate and legal procedure period need to be shortened. The fear of the law has almost vanished because of delay in justice, including conviction in most of the cases.
Col Abhay Balkrishna Patwardhan (Retd)
‘The Hitavada’ series on drugs menace in Nagpur has been eye-opening and positively a provocative one. During my tenure in the North East, Punjab, and Kashmir in the course of duty in the Indian Army, I had interaction with youths from various strata of society. Also, I saw drug abuse in these States and seen/dealt with many drug users. Here are my thoughts on the subject: One chooses to take a drug because he likes the way it makes him feel. Initially, he thinks that he has control over how much and how often he uses it. Over time, drugs change his brain function/work. These physical changes last long and the addict loses control, resulting in damaging behaviour. Then comes a stage when he cannot stop even when it puts his health in danger. It slowly leads to financial, emotional and other problems for him and those around. His urge to get and use drugs can fill up every minute of his day. Prolonged use causes changes in his brain. These changes affect his judgment, decision-making, memory and ability to learn. These brain changes drive him to seek out and take drugs in ways beyond his control.
If one watches closely, the addict displays one or more of these warning signs or visible physical side effects -- complacent attitude, unduly enlarged irises and flushed cheeks, flare up if questioned consistently, urge to use the drug every day or many times a day, consume more drugs and always carry drugs with him or buy even if he cannot afford it, spends more time alone, does not take care of himself or his looks and sports a disheveled look, steals at home, lies to people, does dangerous things like driving while high or having unsafe sex, feels sick, unable to fulfill obligations at school/college /work/home, has troubled relationship and/or social problems, increased intolerance, withdrawal symptoms upon non-availability of drugs, and abandons hobbies he enjoyed previously. The addict’s dependency on drugs shows up as he needs something/drug in order to function normally. This damages his organs, causes depression and/or display suicidal tendency. Legal problems and financial woes haunt him, making him do things he would not have done if he was not an addict.
To cure an addict of drug abuse, it would be important to reduce his dose slowly over time, by gradually taking smaller and smaller doses. This is called a ‘Tapering Plan’. One must write down one’s plan with time-frame showing the dates when one will reduce the dose of the addict, by how much, and for how long. Here are some tips for living with a loved one who has an addiction -- keep him safe, have a response plan if matters escalate, restrict access to money, set boundaries for him and your household to restrict undue compassion for him, prioritise his care and encourage him to undergo treatment, join a support group.