Students of various educational institutions joined hands with police personnel to spread awareness about the perils of substance abuse by taking out a ‘jatha’ in Mysuru on Friday to mark ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’.
Speaking on the occasion, Medical Superintendent of Apollo BGS Hospitals in Mysuru, Anjali Arun said a large number of people in the country, who are addicted to various drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and other substances, commit suicide.
A very small percentage of people, who are addicted to various substances, seek de-addiction counselling and rehabilitation. “Barely 0.3 per cent of such people go to the rehabilitation centres,” she lamented adding that seeking counselling and going to rehabilitation centres are considered taboo.
Cautioning the students of the country to be wary of the perils of substance abuse, she said there were a number of such facilities and NGOs who offer necessary assistance.
Later, City Police Police Commissioner B. Dayananda said that the job of the police department was not restricted to tracing narcotics. Police is equally committed to creating awareness against drug abuse, he added.
