Somesh Verma, a student of class 9th, seems lethargic and sleepy the whole day, is what complain his teachers all the time. After few stern words of warning and notices, they almost gave up. The truth got revealed when once his teacher saw him sniffing whitener, the fluid used by students to conceal errors in their written work.
Today’s government and civic agency-run schools are infested with such Somesh and innumerable other like minded students. The picture is very daunting but yet showing the truth of our modern society. As per the surveys, studies and observations, in the current times, more than 80% of the students are abusing substances like thinners, nail paints, shoe-polishes, Iodex, petrol-fumes, markers, petroleum jellies, paints and even pain-relieving ointments.
The reasons based on which these no. of users is rising day by day, is an easy availability of such addictive products in just 10-15 rupees in the shops set up at every nook and corner just outside the school premises or in communities. And what makes the situation worst, when students even don’t know what is good and what is bad for them.
Bodh- the drug abuse eradication program of DJJS, under its ‘SAY NO’ advocacy workshops organizes introductory level, foundational level and advanced level workshops in combating the mushroom growth of drug abusers at schools. But the problem can only be controlled when counteracted from different sides. Therefore, along with students we educate the teachers as well on ‘how to assess a student based on the symptoms of drug abuse’, what are the behavioral and physical changes that persist due to drug abuse? Likewise, the school authority and management is also trained on how to counsel the students or educate them through indirect means, games, and educative activities and through designed curriculums on harmful effects of drug abuse.
On 11th August 2014, karkardooma area of east Delhi witnessed the same, when team of ‘SAY NO’ Advocacy Workshops conducted a program at Boys Govt School. More than 800 students, 60 staff members along with management attended the program held. Mr. Vineet, disciple of His Holiness Shri Ashutosh Maharaj ji, head and founder of DJJS and also an expert on drug abuse and youth’s psychology towards drug abuse, sensitized the students. ‘how to combat the peer pressure, how to be assertive in saying no to drugs’ were some of the key points of his presentation. A skit was also performed by Bodh’s volunteers, highlighting the repercussions of drug abuse on physical, financial, health and even on the social fabric of the society.
The program was well received by the students and management & teachers showed their keen interest throughout the program. The organization was also given an offer to organize more of such enlightening programs in the future as well.
Bodh- the drug abuse eradication program of DJJS, works for the elimination of drug abuse eradication of drug demand through ‘Dhyan Therapy’ , thereby transforming the drug afflicted society into an abuse free society ; where people are mentally, emotionally and spiritually strong to safeguard themselves and the society against drug and substance abuse.
Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan is a multi-faceted socio-spiritual organization, founded and headed by His holiness Ashutosh Maharaj Ji to actualize the vision of ‘Global Peace, through Self- Awakening’. DJJS is working towards social reformation and welfare of the communities, through its network of branches spread across the globe. On social front, its primary focus remains on gender, health, education, environment, drug-abuse eradication, bovine conservation and empowerment of persons with disabilities and the prisoners.
