Society Free of Drugs

To create awareness masses against the ill effects of drug addiction, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 26 to be International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in 1987 as countless people in general and youths in particular fall prey to the menace. The day strengthen our collective resolve to live in a society free of drugs, and encouraging all our fellow human beings to make personal choices to lead healthy lives. Making healthy choices also means choosing a lifestyle that has a positive effect on the body and mind. We have a thorough vigil over the proceedings, and that we do not allow the surplus sale and purchase of the drug. In Jammu Division, drug abuse is still under control. Also in a very short period of time we are planning to arrange a small programme for all dealers and NGOs of the city, wherein they would be trained to counter the menace. Surinder Tickoo, Assistant Director Drug Controller, Head Quarter J&K maintains that, the day applauds the courage shown by those who have stopped using drugs. As a regulator he feels that scenario in the state is comparatively better than neighboring states. Also he said that we lack in de-addiction centers in Jammu as there is only one de-addiction centre in the city at Govt Medical College Jammu. As we strictly regulate trade of medicines, people should also respect the law and purchase drugs against proper prescription of the doctor, he added. According to psychiatrist Dr Manu Arora from Jammu, mostly teenagers and young adults have become particularly vulnerable in using illicit drugs like opium, cannabis and alcoholic et al. The prevalence of drug use among young people between age group of 20 to 35 is more than twice as high as that among the general population resulting into the physical (depending on which type of drug, he is addicted to), psychological, moral and intellectual growth of the youth. At this age, peer pressure to experiment with illicit drugs can be strong and