‘Stop Narcotics Addiction’ tell Members of Narcotics Anonymous
Mangaluru: These Four men who were once Narcotics addicts, but now recovering from that addiction held a press meet at Mangalore Press Club to spread the message and bring awareness about the harmful effects from Narcotics/drug addiction. The Four men namely Amar, Akbar, Anthony, and Peter (name changed for identity purpose on their request) briefed the media persons, where Anthony said, ” We were once all drug addicts, but now we are all recovering from the nasty habit we had, realizing its not worth continuing it further. Now we all want to spread our experiences with other narcotics addicts and try to get them out the addiction. As they say ‘If there is a will, there’s a way’- if you make up a strong mind you can quit doing narcotics. If we could do it, You too can”.
He further said, “Do you think that you are unable to stop using Drugs and any other mood-altering substance? Does your using has affected your normal living? If you feel you failed to control and have a problem then there is hope in a simple program offered by Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Narcotics Anonymous is a re-knowned worldwide NON PROFIT community-based organization with a membership close to one million. They are a society of men and women for whom stopping the use of drugs became impossible (that includes Alcohol). Today, NA is considered as a most viable program for addicts seeking recovery from drug addiction. There are NO Doctors, Psychiatrists, Psychologists nor counselors in NA.”
“Witnessing the great results in NA, they are recognized and hold a special consultative status at the U.N.O. Founded in the United States in 1953 along the lines of AA fellowship. They are present in 140 countries conducting 68000 recovery meetings a week and are growing day by day. Anyone can join them regardless of Age, Sex, Religion or lack of religion. If you ask how does NA work? It’s simple- It is based on the spiritual principles such as Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness, Acceptance, Care and Compassion, Unconditional love, Trust, Hope, Faith, Self-support ..…The core of the program is the 12 steps which practiced on a regular basis lifts the Obsession to use again. They call it ‘Freedom from active addiction’. The experienced members termed “Sponsors” guide the new members. They help them identifying their problems and find their own best solution.” added Anthony.
Akbar also speaking said, ” NA is bound with traditions that keep them in unity and also in union with others. This program follows the principle of ‘Anonymity’ that which helps in keeping a sense of equality and also secures their identity to the outside world. NA does not accept financial contributions from any Non-members. They do not Affiliate or Endorse or lend their name to any outside enterprise nor provide any opinion on any of the outside issues. The only requirement for membership in NA for one is to have a desire to stop using drugs. There are no fees for attending NA meetings. “IT’S FREE”. NA in India is since 1983 and have active fellowships in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Orissa, Pune, Darjeeling, Sikkim, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Calicut (Kerala) Ahmedabad and recently started in Mangaluru six months ago”
Also speaking during the press meet, Amar said, ” We conduct regular NA meetings in public facilities which provides an environment for addicts to identify and help each other to cope & learn to stay away from all mood-altering substances that includes Alcohol. This fellowship helps thousands of addicts through 185 recovery meetings per week spread across the Country on a daily basis. Narcotics Anonymous (NA) members in India are ready to offer help and will try to reach you. Passing their Experience, Strength and Hope for FREE helps them to keep the miracle alive what they got as a gift in NA.”
Members seeking information about NA and its local NA meetings can call our NA Helpline of (mention local area name & helpline no) 7506662028 Mangaluru and 9880590059 Bengaluru. Or you can log on to www.nabangalore.org; www.naindia.in; www.na.org for more details. Members of NA also notified that a meeting will be held Every Sunday of the month from 11.30 am-12.30 am at Govt. Women’s College-Ambedkar Circle (Jyothi Circle)-Mangaluru- anyone interested to know more about Narcotics Addiction can attend the meeting.
Dum Maaro Dum! Kudla becoming Haven for Ganja Addicted Youth
By Alfie D’souza- Team Mangalorean.
Mangaluru: Got Weed! “That’s some good ganja, Man. Only needed two hits and I was gone” that’s one of the conversation I heard between two youths at a local pub few days ago. Every time you see couple of youth heading towards the rest-room, they are not really going for a recess, but to have a quick drag on ganja – and it’s true, because once they come out of the toilet, the place stinks of weed. Yes, Mangaluru and DK has been making headlines lately with news of drug trafficking and also teens/young adults/women getting addicted to alcohol and substance abuse, and some resulting in committing suicides due to depression or deaths due to over dose. It is learnt that teenagers, women are getting hooked to alcohol and substance abuse in Mangaluru and Manipal/Udupi-the education hubs of Dakshina Kannada, and doctors attribute it to easy availability of dope, peer pressure, or depression.
It is learnt that the city has recorded a marked increase in incidents of ganja peddling, bringing to fore a disturbing trend that indicates a spike in the youth falling prey to the drug. Police say every time they crack down on ganja peddlers new gangs surface which smuggle the contraband primarily from neighbouring states, especially Goa. The data suggested that abuse of ganja has been on the rise in city particularly among the youths. Ganja peddlers target college students as buyers as well as their agents also.
While most of the peddlers are habitual offenders with criminal records, some of them are first-time offenders who were drawn into the illegal trade as customers. “First they approach the gangs to buy ganja for their own use. The gangs lure them with promise of good money and make them sell ganja gradually. This happens with college students who after a point of time start selling ganja to fellow students,” said a police officer. Although police have also tightened their vigil in the wake of detection of ganja cultivation in the city outskirts, many say that even the some of the cops also play a vital role by associating with the peddlers.
Although there had been a couple of meetings between De-addiction and Counseling Centres with the district administrative officials to discuss the increase of youngsters falling to narcotic and psychotropic drugs, drug addiction among the youth is still continuing. During one of the meetings held recently, a lady member of Link De-addiction and Counselling Centre had said, “Youth aged between 16 and 18 were getting addicted to drugs which are a matter of concern and de-addiction is extremely rigid”. Hilda Rayappan from Prajna Counselling Centre once mentioned that they have so far treated nearly 19,000 persons in the last 25 years at their three de-addiction centres in city. “This has been really effective; however it is difficult in running these three centres as there are no regular grants from the State government”, she added.
It was reported that increasing number of teenagers/young adults in Mangaluru are getting hooked on drugs/alcohol, and doctors are worried about the situation. There is no problem with availability of ganja in rural areas, and possibly as it is a matter of demand and supply. It is not as if drugs are being sold brazenly in broad daylight. Even if the police raid one shop and close it down for the illegal sale of smoke stuff, those who want it will find some other way to get it. Ganja is inexpensive and can be bought for Rs 100 plus a gram as against more expensive drugs like brown sugar, costing nearly Rs 1500-Rs 4000 a gram. Social changes make it difficult to deal with such issues. Earlier, children feared parents, teachers and elders-nowadays parents work and there is spare money that a child has access to. In dealing and to curb with substance abuse, society has to play a big role-because it is very hard for the police to control the drug menace on its own.
Yes, it’s sad to note that the substance abuse among teenagers/young adults is growing in Mangaluru, with smoking, trying out ganja…injecting or inhaling drugs etc etc-most of these are available illegally at shops selling cigarettes, paan shops, hostels or through agents. Users form a well-knit network and no names are mentioned as they are scared of implications. The other problem is that the parents are unaware that their children are addicted to substance abuse as they use a lot of masking behaviour. Also that they will not be home on time or they go out of town on trips with friends.
With most of the students in various professional colleges like medical, engineering, dental and other post-graduate studies are from other towns and states, they are free without parents guidance or care. Also with so many call centers popping up in the city, and since many of them operate business at night, there is ample opportunity for all these call center employees, who are quite young, to skip work and party at pubs, beaches or at private places. Only when they get into trouble or get totally sick, their parents will be in shock and denial. Some of them are very poor and very naive.
According to the police, the city’s status as a drug consumption centre is high because of the easy availability of ganja. “However, there is a less demand for drugs like cocaine, heroin, and opium as they are costly and are made available only in case of specific demand. Ganja is commonly used by slum dwellers, smokers, drug addicts and youngsters because of their easy availability. The youth are mostly attracted to ganja and charas. Youth smoke ganja mixed in cigarettes. Women consume less as compared to men. Most students engage in ganja and cocaine.”
Every month or so, many ganja dealers are caught in the city, and they operate their business close to educational institutions. So its clear that Ganja is been smuggled into this educational town, and not much has been done by the law enforcement officials. Many say that if police themselves are corrupt and are associated with these ganja peddlers, how can this problem be solved- a big question mark? Yes, citizens and members of various community organizations can play an important role in stopping alcohol and substance abuse among teenagers and young adults-if you see anyone dealing with drugs/shops selling illegal smoking items or if you see someone whom you are sure is doing drugs, immediately inform the police or the concerned authorities.
Anyone with information pertaining to drug trafficking or drug dealers immediately notify the law enforcement personal by dialing 100 or 9480802305, so that the concerned authorities can take quick action and grab the drug mafias. We the citizens can join hands along with the law enforcement authorities in controlling the drug menace in the city, and thereby save some innocent lives from this deadly “disease”? Or if you know anyone is narcotics addicted you can call a member of Narcotics Anonymous in Mangaluru at 7506662028
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