Kohima, November 7 (MExN): The ARK Foundation conducted a sensitization workshop on ‘Substance use and Prevention’ with the Department of Sociology (PG), St Joseph's College (Autonomous), Jakhama, on November 6.
It also conducted an awareness program on ‘Substance use and its prevention’ with the high school students of River Belt School, Dimapur on November 7.
Towards the campaign of ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’ (drug-free India), the ARK Foundation with support from the department of Social welfare conducted a sensitization workshop webinar on ‘substance use and prevention’ with the students of the sociology department (PG), St Joseph’s College, Jakhama with Ketho Angami, President, ARK foundation as moderator.
In his presentation, Ketho shared a major concern where youngsters are initiating some substances which are termed as ‘gateway drugs’ such as sniffing of dendrites, use of tobacco and nicotine products, and other inhalant substances. Such introduction to these gateway drugs results into forming a chronic dependency habit into harder drugs, he said.
Citing reasons why people take drugs, he said that there are multiple reasons such as curiosity, peer pressure, frustration, experimental, recreational purpose etc and other factors like poor upbringing, inferior complexity, and easy availability. Another concern is also the rampant use of pharmaceutical drugs in the form of cough syrup which are addictive in nature.
During the stage of the dependency, the vicious cycle starts which is about taking drugs to keep himself away from the pain else in the absence of the drugs, he feels miserable. Once a person reaches the dependency stage, numerous problems erupts in the mental, emotional, and physical aspect. Therefore to get relief from such pain, the continuation of drug usage keeps happening which makes it difficult for a person to quit, he shared.
He also shared the harmful effects of substance use such as tension, arguments, lack of trust, avoidance and incidence of violence in the family. There is also likelihood of losing friends, losing jobs, dropping out from educational careers or poor performance, loss of interest in hobbies, risk of pre matured deaths, poor physical health, financial instability and legal implications, he added.
On the management and prevention perspective, he mentioned that primary prevention is the key. People should be made aware of the harmful effects of drug use and not to ever get introduced into substance use, and treatment through rehabilitation for those who are already in the addictive stage, he said. He concluded the presentation by mentioning some tips to prevent them from being introduced to the first ‘substance use’ experience like abstaining by avoiding the first use, knowing the drug hazards, associating with healthy friends, avoiding using gateway drugs like tobacco products, inhalants, alcohol etc.
The presentation was followed by a round of questions and answers.
Ketho also moderated the webinar in Dimapur, which was held with the students River Belt School.
He shared that substance use and progressing to abuse mode of habit is a disease which is lethal and can be life threatening for many.
Addressing the students, Ketho shared that student life is the time when the core responsibility is to study and achieve education. But if young people starts to get indulge into such illegal habit, their future is likely to be destroyed by drugs, he stated.
