Father Muller Medical College Observes International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Mangaluru: Educational institutions are to be concerned with the well being of students and society as well. The increasing addiction for drugs by the youth is alarming in the present scenario. In order to develop an awareness about the consumption of drugs and their consequences in the would-be Doctors and others in the community Father Muller Medical College-Mangaluru in association with the Forensic Medicine and Student Development Committee of FMMC observed the ‘International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ in order to create awareness among the students and the staff on this ill crippling the society. A awareness programme through a Short Skit by the twenty students of Forensic Medicine; and also from the Student Development Committee was performed at Forum Fiza Mall, Mangaluru on Wednesday 26 June 2019 at 5.30 pm-where a large audience of mall shoppers witnessed the play.
The observance of the ‘Day’ is an important initiative to ensure sustainable development globally, and to advocate for measures to tackle drug abuse and trafficking. The theme of this initiative for 2019 is “Health for justice, justice for health.” The play by the FMMC students emphasized that tackling drug abuse leads directly to both health and justice, which are two sides of the same coin. Following the Skit held at the Mall, on Thursday, 27 June yet another awareness programme to mark the same ‘Day’, with a talk on “Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking” by chief guest Steven M Dias- Superintendent of Customs, Central Excise and Central Tax, Mangaluru was held at the Decennial Memorial Hall-FMMC, Mangaluru.
Why is this initiative important? Drug trafficking is a major challenge across the world, especially in developing countries. In nations where poorer people are desperate for monetary stability and security is lax, they are likely to fall prey to this network of crime. Drug trafficking hinders human development by preventing education and increasing crime. By observing an international day to tackle this issue, the United Nations seeks to bring international attention to the severity of this issue, and provides a platform for advocacy.
The trade in drugs has been already recognized as a global problem requiring a global solution since the beginning of the 20th century were in over the following decades, a multilateral system to control production, trafficking and abuse of drugs has been developed. The world drug problem is one of the most challenging issues facing humankind. It has wide-ranging impacts on the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities, as well as on the security and sustainable development of nations. The international community shares a common goal to protect people’s security and well-being, while striving for the progress and dignity of all.
The primary target of drug peddlers is youngsters, and their business thrives near the educational institutions, which make the youth more vulnerable to such menace. Many cases of drug abuse are seen in young adolescents to whom drugs are sold in forms of candies, chocolates and edibles. These create a self driven desire to want more and hence the addiction of the individual to such substance of abuse. Addiction is the disease of the brain in which one looses himself to the harms the drug. Drug addiction isn’t about just heroin, cocaine, or other illegal drugs. You can get addicted to alcohol, nicotine, opioid painkillers, and other legal substances. Drug abuse is when the use of legal or illegal substances in ways that one shouldn’t like taking more than the regular dose of pills or use someone else’s prescription. One may abuse drugs to feel good, ease stress, or avoid reality.
The programme at the Decennial Memorial Hall began with an invocation prayer, followed by a audio video of the skit performed at Forum Fiza Mall, Mangaluru and also of the poster competition held in the Father Muller Charitable Institution’s units were screened. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Nagesh K R, HoD Forensic Medicine at FMMC, with a brief introduction on the importance of the day. He stated that 26th June is considered the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking world over and to observe the day a Skit was showcased at the Forum Fiza Mall, Mangalore and a poster competition was held in the FMCI campus.
The programme was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by chief guest Steven M.P. Dias, along with other dignitaries on the dais, namely Fr Richard Coelho-Director of FMCI; Fr Ajith Menezes- Administrator-FMMC; Dr J P Alva-Dean FMMC and Dr Nagesh KR. The judges for the poster competition, Dr Mahesh, Department of Radiology & Dr Vinay Rao, Department of ENT and the winners Ms. Madhushree (FMMC) who won the First place, Joyol Fernandes (FMSON)-the second place and Ms. Dhanya Rao (FMMC)-the Third place were felicitated. Dr. Jayaprakash Alva, Dean, FMMC, gave away the certificate of appreciation to the participants of the skit.
Rev Fr Richard Coelho, in his presidential address congratulated the department of Forensic Medicine and the Student Development committee for their efforts in the observance of the day. He stated that the youth were becoming victims of this drug menace and Mangaluru was recently known to be by the police department the place for most cases of drug peddling and trafficking. He advised all to take a caution to this menace. He appreciated the student’s efforts in the skit and the poster competitions.
Steven M.P. Dias, spoke on this experiences as an intelligence officer and an excise officer on the menace of drug abuse. He said that the most cases of drug use and peddling are seen around professional colleges as people from all over the country come at one place having varied backgrounds. He explained that this day was selected by the United Nations in 1987 to observe that all countries are informed and drug free. He stated that 5.3% of the world population have consumed drugs once in their lifetime and 0.6% are habitual addicts. He stressed on the need to fight addiction in India as the neighbouring countries try to weaken its strength i.e., its youth, to this menace by trafficking and peddling drugs via land, sea and air.
Steven Dias further explained the various forms of drugs that are found and traded with. He advised doctors and parents to embody the theme: “Listen First” by the United Nations as a method to curb young minds from using drugs. He stated that many a disease like HIV are the by-products of drug abuse leading to societal failure and rupturing the essence of family. He reminded the young medicos (doctors and paramedical) that serving the poor and the villages was the need of the hour through which one can see the Divine. He enthralled the audience with his panache and wished well to all the medicos at FMCI a bright future. And while concluding on a lighter side of vein He asked-“How many of you tried drugs? How many of you tried ganja?”- and the students remained quite with a blush on their faces?
Dr. Sanjay Fernandes, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and the staff coordinator for the Student Development Committee of the Father Muller’s Medical College gave the vote of thanks. He called on the medical fraternity to unite and fight the weakness in the society i.e., drug abuse. The programme was compered by student Miss Shreya Honarius and FMMC faculty Dr. Karen Castelino. Fr. Nelson Pais, Assistant Administrator, FMMCH, faculties of FMCI and Students were present for the programme.
