Drug menace among school students in the State is no more a secret, says Excise Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh has said.
Excise Department findings showed that about 70% of the students in the State stood vulnerable to narcotic drugs, Mr. Singh said, while addressing school students here on Friday as part of ‘Drugs End All Dreams,’ a Statewide campaign organised by the Excise Department.
Out of the 30,000-odd cases registered by the Excise Department last year, more than 25,000 cases pertained to drugs and liquor. Those arrested had a sizeable number of students as clients.
“Therefore, a serious coordinated effort by parents, teachers and government agencies is needed to effectively counter the menace,” he said. Such an effort was imperative, as what played a huge role in driving the students towards drug addiction was psychological factors such as curiosity and tension.
Compulsion from parents and teacher to achieve high grades in studies was one of the tension triggers in students, which made them turn towards drugs for solace, Mr. Singh observed, urging parents not to tax children for high grades.
He said since parents could often fail to notice behavioural differences in their children linked to drug addiction. But teachers could play a role here, and with a bit of a probing eye, could easily spot such changes in their students. The symptoms mainly included absence from class and suddenly becoming lethargic towards studies.
When such a student was spotted, the parents should be immediately informed, he said. Drug addiction was a disease and needed medical care. Teachers and parents could improve their communication with students to quickly identify drug addiction.
Deputy Excise Commissioner (Kollam) K. Suresh Babu also spoke.
