Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jun 2000 Source: Times of India, The (India) Copyright: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2000 Contact: http://www.timesofindia.com/ Author: Ravinder Bawa SAY NO TO DRUGS This comes as a grim reminder to all those who feel that material success is all that's important for family peace and happiness. Today, on International Anti-Narcotics Day, experts say that lack of communication in the family encourages youngsters to experiment with drugs. It's estimated that there are 2 lakh drug addicts in Mumbai. Of these, 1,20,000 use brown sugar, 40,000 use a mix of different drugs and another 40,000 are addicted to other substances like cough syrups and ink dilutors. Drug addiction has become a major phenomenon in Mumbai in the past two decades, affecting all segments of society. Eldred Tellis, managing trustee, Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust, says, "In today's scenario, drug abuse is on the rise among the low income groups. The high concentration areas are Crawford Market, Dawa Bazaar, Dharavi and Kamathipura. There is an increase in the use of drugs like ecstasy and acid among the upper and the upper-middle class due to the pub and party culture." Drugs are available at prices ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 2000 and even more. Dr Yusuf Merchant of Drug Abuse Information Rehabilitation and Research Centre (DAIRRC) explains, "Today different methods are used by both the urban as well as the rural population of Mumbai to get away from the problems of life. From ink dilutors, cough syrups, sleeping pills, hashish, marijuana, heroin, petrol and alcohol to designer drugs like ecstasy, acid, and speed, all are resorted to. It has been found by the de-addiction centres that the city's most popular drug, brown sugar, is widely used by lower income groups as it is cheap and easily available." Peer pressure, sheer ignorance, insecurity, stress, boredom, changing social structure, urbanisation, unemployment, alienation, lack of self-expressing skills are some of the suggested reasons for spread of this evil. But, people who are closely associated with the de-addiction system believe that the family can play a very important role in dealing with the problem. Dr Harish Shetty, consultant psychiatrist, National Addiction Research Centre (NARC), says, "Parents can play a vital role in keeping their children away from drugs. Also, emotional hygiene packages should be a part of school and college curriculum." Gabriel Britto, director, NARC, adds, "Parents should treat their children as grown-ups and have an open relationship with them. They should help them to make the right decisions on critical subjects in their lives." Dr Merchant says, "Prevention begins with parents and families, and requires the support of schools and colleges. It's the kitchen table that can be the most important weapon to fight this problem. Sharing a meal a day will enable parents to understand the behaviour of their child in a much better way, and will knit the family together." How to identify an addict in your home? * An addict spends a long time in the bathroom as his stomach functions abnormally * He has a poor appetite and loses weight fast * He abhors cleanliness and hates to bathe * Fluctuation in moods - from irritation to anger; calmness to restlessness * Burn marks on the fingers * Recurrent cold and coughs * Changes in sleeping pattern - either totally sleepless or very sleepy * A sudden love for rock music or outlandish fashions * Empty strips of pills found in his/her purse. * Money and belongings missing * Compulsive lying is the hallmark of an addict * Needle marks, abscesses or scratch marks are seen on the body - --- MAP posted-by: Allan Wilkinson