It is considered that the members of the armed forces are not immune to the problems of substance abuse which is otherwise adversely affecting the rest of the society. Although illicit drug consumption is observed to be lower among the Indian military personnels than the civilians, heavy alcohol and tobacco intake and especially prescription drug abuse are much more prevalent and are on the rise in the regiments.

BODH educated the armed forces of “Rajasthan Armed Core (RAC)” against the addictive nature of Prescription Drugs | Gazipur, Delhi

The stresses of deployment during wartimes and the unique cultural structure of the military account for some of these differences. Therefore, in order to combat the same in Rajasthan Armed Core with its station at Ghazipur, the DJJS Karkardooma Centre of Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan founded/mentored by His Holiness Ashutosh Maharaj ji under its Drug Abuse Eradication Program (Bodh) was invited for addressing the colossally rising problem of drug abuse amongst the soldiers. More than 250 soldiers were introduced to the session “Drugs: an option no more” wherein the functionary of the drugs and various other addictive substances were meticulously discussed. The program initiated with the introduction of the organisation and the aim of the workshop.

According to the surveys and studies conducted or published, apart from licit drugs like alcohol and tobacco based products, misuse of prescription drugs appears to be a big challenge amongst the soldiers today. Though various curbing factors are being implemented as that of limiting the duration of prescription for opioids pain reliever for some months and appointing pharmacists to monitor the soldier’s but the situation is still getting deeper for “there is an acute shortage of willingness in a soldier against drug usage”.

BODH educated the armed forces of “Rajasthan Armed Core (RAC)” against the addictive nature of Prescription Drugs | Gazipur, Delhi

These factors were especially being taken care of during the session where soldiers were given clarity on how even one minor negligently carried out medication can consequently act as an addictive drug if not taken under special investigation. Through the chart of addiction cycle and daily life examples, the concepts of use, misuse and abuse were highlighted. In order to make the interactions collaborative, various educative activities, quizzes and demonstrations were used an IEC tools. Detailed pamphlets over the known and unknown, short term and long term harmful impacts of drug addiction were also distributed amongst the soldiers. The authority along with the participants highly appreciated the organization’s knowledge and efforts on the subject matter and also offered the proposal to conduct such motivating sessions on monthly basis.

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