Presently, though the problem of “Drug and its abuse” exists as the world’s third largest problem, yet it is acceptably perceived as a taboo in our society. For most of the parents, guardians and teachers in India are somewhat massively observed to be hesitant and are scared to discuss the same with children because of the existing stereotypes and stigma associated to the word, 'drug'. So they consequently prefer to keep mum on the issue and avoid the topic especially in front of their children. But If we look around today drugs are no longer the substances that are far away from the reach of children and hence not to be feared of. Rather today at various occasions, gateway drugs like tobacco products, cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs have readily become accessible to the environment of such young consumers and which is naturally inculcates in them the curiosity of intake and experiment. In the absence of absolute clarity about the hazardous aftermath of such intoxicating products due to lack of proper guidance and direction from their close proximity, they end up consuming such products themselves out due to various reasons like utter curiosity about what they are, pressure of peers, lack of knowledge or with the feeling of competition while following the crowd. As a result, this phenomenon has led to rampant increase in the number of such cases of experimentation with drugs amongst children.
Contradictory to others, the management of New Divine Public School in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh critically observed this trend and took a well-directed step in breaking this taboo of drugs amongst children. In the very course the school invited the Meerut Center of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan founded/mentored by His Holiness Ashutosh Maharaj ji under its ongoing initiative, Drug Abuse Eradication Program (Bodh) to conduct an exclusive ' SAY NO workshop' for their students, thereby providing them the complete information about the ins and outs of drug abuse.
The Workshop kicked off with more than 200 students and teachers of the school on board and the Bodh Team hosted a fun filled educative session for them. During the session via an eye-opening street play, demonstrative activities and an insightful lecture, the Bodh Team highlighted upon various aspects relating to drugs such as how even Alcohol and Cigarettes are equally intoxicating in nature like any other drug, Importance of saying absolute No to what is Bad for one, How to deal with Peer Pressure, Consequences of Abusing Drugs and How to tackle the problem of drug abuse. By the end of the session, the students were well informed to make wise decisions in times of dilemma like “this or that”, “Yes or No”, “Should I or Should I Not” and also to be strong enough to resist the pressure which may change their rightly made decisions.
Mr. Sudarshan Chakra, minister of Vishva Hindu Parishad Prant Sah Sangathan), and Mr. Mukhiya Gurjar , National President of Pathik Sena and Senior leader of BJP who graced this workshop with their presence also shared some words of wisdom on the subject and encouraged the students to opt for Drug Free Lives. In the end, Ch. Anurag Kumar, the director of the school also expressed his sincere gratitude to the organisation and appreciated its selfless efforts being made in bringing a positive change in the society.
