Social Welfare department Samba, in collaboration with the health department, today organized an awareness- cum-counselling session for parents on Narcotics & Drug abuse here at district Conference Hall Samba.
Deputy Commissioner Samba, Anuradha Gupta - the Chief Guest along with Senior Superintendent of Police, Benam Tosh and other officers inaugurated the programme attended by parents, teachers, students and locals.
The Deputy Commissioner, while outlining the objectives of the event, underlined the need to protect the children from falling into clutches of drugs, She said that sensitization of parents is of utmost importance for strategizing the eradication of drug abuse completely in the district.
She called upon all stakeholders to put in collective effort to wipe out the malaise of narcotics and drug abuse. " District Administration has taken many steps like launching a sustained IEC campaign, heightening of vigil on drug peddlers, installation of feedback boxes in schools, colleges etc, CCTV monitoring of chemist shops.
“However with parents' support we can achieve a 100% drug free district" added DC Samba. The participants also pledged to counter the drug menace with vigorous awareness drives against drug peddlers across the district with the help of youth.
Dr. Vinod Dhar, key speaker, delivered a thought provoking lecture. He said drug abuse starts among youth with smoking, drinking alcohol and later turns into other forms of drug dependency.
He further added that Parents must keep watch on the gestures, school performance, friend circle and ant behavioural change among children as these are early signs of addiction.
The early the detection the better it is to address the drug abuse issue, added the guest speaker. Additional SP Surinder Choudhary, CMO Dr Vidhi Bathial, DIO Ajay Sharma, DSWO Deep Kumar, besides other officers and officials were also present.