The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has marked June 26 as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
In 2016, the campaign theme is ‘listen First.’ The theme aims to raise awareness around listening to children and youths as the first step to help them grow healthy and safe. The campaign targets parents, teachers, policy makers, health workers and prevention workers and highlights how to recognise and prevent risky behaviours and drug use.
The aim of the day is to increase support for prevention of drug use that is based on science and is thus an effective investment in the well-being of children and youths, their families and their communities. The day serves as a reminder of the need to combat the problems illicit drugs pose to society.
Odisha apparently has a growing number of drug addicts. In the State, 40 per cent kids use inhalants and less than 15 per cent children use heroin. For treatment and rehabilitation, there are 22 de-addiction centres, two counselling centres and two de-addiction and counselling centres in Odisha. Several NGOs are working towards de-addiction. In Bhubaneswar, children involved in rag picking, shoe shining, working as coolies, working in shops and restaurants, road side vending, cleaning and washing utensils in hotels for their survival are often found as drug addicts. These children work for long hours in these occupations. When there are no means for living, they sometimes engage in petty theft, drug trafficking or criminal activities. Most of the children start using substance to satisfy their curiosity or to have fun without knowing its future consequences. They mostly use dendrite, tobacco and alcohol. Many children and adults are drug addicted, which gives the city a wrong image. Proper steps should be taken to check this practice to make the city smart and safe.
Globally, it is estimated that between 153 million and 300 million people aged 15-64 use an illicit substance. It is also estimated that, there are between 99,000 to 253,000 deaths globally as a result of illicit drug use. In India there are about 3 million estimated victims of different kinds of drug usages. According to a UN report, one million heroin addicts are registered in India, and unofficially there are as many as five millions.
A National Master Plan for substance abuse was evolved in 1994 which focuses on the establishment of treatment and rehabilitation centres, training of primary care and other personnel in substance abuse. There are around 430 drug dependence treatment centres throughout the country, which are being run by NGOs, supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India (MSJE). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOH&FW), Government of India, has also established about 122 drug dependence treatment centres (DACs) in the country. Most of these Government centres are associated with either general hospitals at the district level or with departments of psychiatry at certain medical colleges.
The most successful approaches in drug use prevention involve the critical role of families, schools, and communities to build on protective factors to ensure safe and healthy childhood and adolescent years and to provide viable and legitimate livelihoods for adults. Families, schools and civil societies can do their part to rid their communities of drugs.
The media can also raise awareness about the dangers of drugs. This will foster communities free of drug-related crime and violence, individuals free of drug dependence who can contribute to our common future. Without treatment and rehabilitation, the matter will further put enormous pressure on the individual family and community. It is vital to provide treatments and develop design guidelines for rehabilitation of the drug addicted people.
There is a need to organise awareness programme in educational institutions. Protecting children from drug abuse has to be considered the most essential and urgent need for creating a ‘World fit for Children’ and for a meaningful achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
(Dr Praharaj works in the Department of Architecture, College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar)