Academics and legal experts on Saturday opined that students must be protected against narcotic drugs as they are the future of the nation.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad (JNTU-H), in collaboration with Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE), conducted an anti-narcotics workshop on the JNTU-H campus.
Telangana High Court Judge B Vijaysen Reddy was the chief guest of the event. “We can’t jeopardise the future of this nation and lose youth to drugs,” he said.
“The number of convictions under the NDPS Act is high. However, as per the crimes in India report-2021, by the NCRB reveals that 3,25,841 people are under trial for drug abuse. Surprisingly despite the conviction rate being 77 %, teenagers are vulnerable to drugs.”
Reddy further said, “Earlier, family issues and peer pressure were the factors leading to substance abuse. Today, mental health crisis is the largest factors contributing to drug abuse. It is essential to ensure that young adults are counselled before they turn to such means.”
The judge went on to say, “It is necessary to prevent consumption of drugs in the educational institutes and to keep a check on methods being used by peddlers to connect with the students.”
Reddy then shared signs to identify a drug addict. “Once, the Kamareddy SP said, “It is not difficult to identify the drug addicts. Once the early stage is past, the body is dependent on drug, which could be fatal.”
TSCHE Chairman, R Limbadri said, “All of us must have a purpose in life, just like fitness is necessary for physical well-being. Telangana also needs its youth to step up. For this purpose, I, along with JMTU-H Vice-Chamcellor Katta Narsimha met the Chief Minister and City Commissioner of Police to discuss subjects which could be added to the syllabus to help the students understand the adverse impact of drugs and cyber security.”
He further said, the Chief Minister also ordered the creation of a directorate to check the drug menace which is being headed by Hyderabad Commissioner CV Anand.
In order to tackle the drug menace, Dharam Seva CEO Nishamth Reddy also launched the Dheera app. This app helps drug addicts to rehabilitate through various exercises including Yoga and Martial Arts. A sizeable number of students, parents and faculty attended the programme.
