Media Release
Mangaluru, Jun 26: Drug trafficking is a major issue that affects everyone. It poses a serious threat to safety and welfare of humanity. Therefore, it is important that we must come together and aim for a society free of drug abuse. To mark the importance of the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Schools play an important role in drug prevention programmes. It is the perfect setting to educate children about the negative impact that illegal drugs can have on their life. To emphasize the importance of this day, The Yenepoya School (TYS) and Yenepoya PU College (YPUC), conducted a webinar on drug abuse and its effects on students, expressing solidarity to help eradicate this social evil.
The programme began with the introduction by the Anshu Mariam, student of II PU Science. Chaitra, student of class X invoked God’s blessings with a prayer song. Principal Grace Noronha welcomed the gathering and extended a warm reception to the chief guest for accepting invitation to this event. Mahad Sheikh, student of class X, briefed all on the importance of this day.
The programme was followed by a montage of photos and videos by the students of TYS and YPUC illustrating the prevention and effects of drug abuse. Uzwal Rodney Menezes, dean, PUC Science, introduced the honorable chief guest, Dr Loveena Lobo and briefed her invaluable contribution to help the society get rid of this menace. Dr Loveena Lobo shared a wonderful presentation explaining the aspects of drug abuse and its effects on students. She shared facts on how drug abuse usually begins in adolescence and the reasons for students to start the usage of drugs. She went on to explain how the feeling of euphoria one experiences while consuming drugs leads to repeated behavior causing addiction. Once addicted, it is difficult to stop as they could experience withdrawal symptoms. She said how one should be empathetic to affected individuals and shared some ways one could help prevent drug abuse. Following this, Antonio Noronha, a pioneer personality was invited by the MC to deliver a speech giving the participants an insight of the day. Addressing the participants, Antonio thanked the management for the opportunity afforded to him. He then elaborated on the issue of child trafficking with a display of short video on Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Sathyarthi who was instrumental in rescuing 87,000 children from the clutches of child traffickers.
The programme was graced by the esteemed dignitaries, Dr Loveena Lobo, the chief guest, director, Maffei Centre for PG studies, St Aloysius College, Mangaluru; Mishria Javeed, the campus director; Grace Noronha, principal; Jacintha D'Costa, vice principal; Antonio Noronha, director; and Secret Sharz, secretary.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Ashel Leanne D'Silva, student of II PU Commerce. The programme was concluded by singing of the school anthem by all.
Children are the seeds that make future blossom. Hence, all must unite and focus on finding solutions to eradicate drug abuse and its illicit marketing for the sake of the future of the next generation.