MCP, Parivarthan and KMC Hold Talk on Substance Abuse at Manipal School
National Drug-Abuse Helpline: 1800-11-0031 (Toll-Free)
Karnataka State Helpline: 1098 (Toll-Free)
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru City Police in collaboration with Kasturba Medical College (Mangaluru) and Parivarthan Charitable Trust organized a talk on substance abuse and drug addiction at the Manipal School, Attavar here, on June 28.
The drug-awareness seminar was delivered by Dr. Keshav Pai who is the HOD of the Department of Psychiatry in KMC Mangaluru. Police Inspector NDPS K K Ramakrishna (Barke Police Station), Mrs. Violet J Pereira (Founder Parivarthan Trust), and Mrs. Anuradha Shivaram (Principal, Manipal School Mangaluru) were also present at the informative session. School teachers and students of Manipal School were in attendance as well.
Dr. Keshav Pai began his talk by stating the various types of addictions that exist in the modern world such as mobile addiction, social media addiction, etc. But drug addiction happens to be the biggest menace in our society, he said. After iterating the clinical definition of drug addiction, Dr. Pai laid out the different types of drugs and the reasons why people choose to indulge in such drugs.
In order to visually demonstrate the real-life consequences of substance abuse, Dr. Pai displayed a video clip of media interviews with degenerate drug addicts. Watching them share their vivid and terrible experiences left a lasting impression on the gathering.
Dr. Pai’s seminar also addressed alcohol abuse and nicotine addiction. Addressing the gathering Dr. Pai said, “We do have a treatment for addiction. There are counselors who are available to help. Educational programs are being conducted like the one Mangaluru Police is conducting across all the schools of the city. Always remember that whenever someone is suicidal, whenever someone expresses hopelessness, it is an alarming sign; you should be alert and be there with the friend to help him. You may not be able to help him directly, but there are professionals who can counsel him.”
Finally, the informative session came to an end on a happy note when Dr. Pai displayed a video clip of a former drug addict in recovery. It showed the students that everyone has a second chance and that it is never too late to ask for help.
10th Standard Student of Manipal School Sana compered the programme.