Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Nipping drug addiction in the bud

—Photo:M. Moorthy.

Learn from fun:Cultural performances to spread awareness of drug abuse underway in the city on Wednesday.

TIRUCHI: Taking the route of sugar-coated pills to get across uncomfortable home truths, an entertainment packed awareness programme was launched by the Sisters of the Cross Society for Education Development (SOCSEAD) Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts and the Narcotics Intelligence Bureau, as a lead up to the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemorated on June 26 worldwide.

M.Anbazhagan, Deputy Mayor inaugurated the cultural presentation at Chatram Bus Stand here on Wednesday. He urged everyone, particularly youth, to pledge their commitment in creating a drug free world. He exhorted them to curb addiction, through individual and community effort. Noting that alcohol addiction was on the rise in the city, he applauded the work of organisations rehabilitating addicts through treatment and counselling.

Folk songs

The programme organised in collaboration with the Directorate of Field Publicity, Tiruchi, laid emphasis on nipping drug addiction in the bud. The cultural troupe sandwiched messages on consequences of drug addiction and information on rehabilitation of addicts through folk songs and street plays.

S. Diaz, Project Co-ordinator, SOCSEAD Integrated Centre, delivering the special address, said that addiction was observed in children as young as 13.

He said there was a progression of addiction with age, as addicts moved on from inhaling Fevicol and whiteners to consuming paan and arrack. Family circumstances and peer pressure were major reasons responible for addiction.

Noting that alcohol addiction was increasingly observed in women, predominantly among sanitary workers and upper class, Mr.Diaz requested the government to create an exclusive centre for rehabilitation of women addicts. Though women step in for counselling, few enrol for treatment, as most centres have only a general award.

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