Media Release
Udupi, Jul 3: National students union of India (NSUI) district unit organised a drugs awareness programme at St Cecily’s Pre-University College on Monday, July 2.
Addressing the gathering, NSUI national secretary Rahul B R told that friendly parenting is required so that children feel free to share everything with their parents. “A few students believe that by taking drugs they become some heroes. The really heroes are those who say no to drugs. Students should not yield to such drug abuses. Succumbing to psychological peer pressure would later develop into a strong habit. It is necessary to raise awareness of drug abuse, particularly among the students.”
Well-known Psychiatrist Dr PV Bhandary said, “Regular drug abusers can develop problems such as anti-social personality, suicide ideation and depression. While drugs of abuse such as alcohol, amphetamines, caffeine, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens or nicotine can lead to health hazards with heavy personal, economic and social costs, the long-term consequences of abuse include psychotic disorder, mood swings, anxiety, sleep disorder and many other problems.
“Youth have misconceptions on the consumption of alcohol and smoking cigarettes. Some young men think that the consumption of beer make them fat and develop their personality, which is wrong. Others smoke cigarettes as they think it gives them the ‘kick’ or a ‘high’, which too is wrong.
“If the youth wanted to get a ‘high’ they should take up physical exercises or go walking. It is usually peer pressure which push many youth to consume alcohol or to take to smoking cigarettes. This sometimes leads to the next level, consumption of drugs.
“Consumption of drugs is like getting into a vicious circle. It is easy to get addicted to drugs. But it is a struggle to give it up. Hence, say ‘No’ to the ‘first puff’ and the ‘first peg’,” Dr Bhandary said.
Farooq state NSUI secretary, Christan Almeida, Udupi district NSUI president, Sr Gracy, principal of the college, leaders Nabil Udyavar, Neeraj Patil, Harshith Acharya, Vishak, Nithesh, Devdas and others were present.