Of the need of an anti-drug social drive

 

 

THAT the Bhopal cops arrested two foreign nationals for drug trafficking, does make a good news. It is clear that the Bhopal Police have done an excellent job during their anti-drug fortnight -- for which they deserve genuine compliments. Yet, it is time for us also to realise that the drive by the Police will prove to be only lop-sided if it is not backed by a vigorous social drive -- to be conducted at in families, schools, and colleges, in addition to several social organisations devoted to young people as well as others. Only if such a drive is undertaken, the larger society will be able to defeat the drug menace that has been bothering all of us for pretty long. As he moves around the city meeting people from different age-brackets and professions, the loosefooter realises that a lot of young people are falling prey to drug-addiction -- in addition to addiction to tobacco or alcohol.

 

Any addiction is bad -- tobacco or alcohol or what are called drugs. But the worst is the drugs in many more ways than we may imagine. Hence the need to make serious and concerted efforts to launch a comprehensive social anti-drugs -- or anti-addiction -- drive. The very fact that the Police launched their anti-drug campaign points to the menace already spoiling people especially from young generations. That awareness made them undertake the drive -- for which they deserve a pat on the back. But the drive only by the cops is not enough. What we require is a concerted effort from the people, too, to save their youngsters from the menace of all addictions, but more particularly drugs.

 

It is common knowledge that drugs are available in the society to anybody who stoops to that low level. Very smart crime networks operate in the society to entice young, vulnerable boys and girls (yes girls also) to start consuming drugs. A lot of sly money also plays a hand in this racket -- so much so that there are money-lenders who offer financial help to youngsters who start abusing drugs. Later, when a lot of money gets accumulated in debt, the racketeers use all kinds of ‘fundas’ to recover the loans. This reality is well known to the coos, all right. That was the reason they started the anti-drug drive. The people in the larger society, however, are yet to wake up to this ugly reality. That is also the reason why they do not notice their youngsters falling prey to wrong habits in their teen years and later. Time has already come for strong social measures to be taken to save our youngsters from the menace of drugs and other addictions -- before it is too late. n