Pubdate: Sun, 04 May 2014
Source: Times of India, The (India)
Copyright: Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2014
Contact:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/453

'RURAL POPULATION, ADOLESCENTS MOST VULNERABLE TO DRUG ABUSE'

CHANDIGARH: A daylong convention was organized at Panjab University
(PU) on Saturday to motivate elected representatives to participate in
awareness on drug abuse at panchayat level.

The convention, "Role of Panchayats in Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Prevention" was organized by the Society for Promotion of Youth &
Masses (SPYM) in partnership with National Institute of Social
Defence, ministry of social justice and empowerment; development and
panchayat department, government of Haryana and department of
community education and disability studies, Panjab University.

An assistant professor at AIIMS, Yatanpal, said, "The rural
population, youth and adolescents are most vulnerable to drug abuse."
He stressed that unemployment and nuclear family culture often led to
the problem of drug abuse among youth. Youth should be made aware of
the ill-effects of drugs and voluntary sector could help government
reach these population groups, he added.

Anand Katoch, director, ministry of social justice and empowerment,
spoke about the detrimental effects of drug abuse on society. "Drug
addiction leads to an increase in crime rate. Apart from affecting
financial stability, it increases conflicts and causes untold
emotional pain for every member of the family," he said.

With most drug users being in the productive age group of 18-35 years,
Katoch said the loss in terms of human potential was incalculable.
"The damage to the physical, psychological, moral and intellectual
growth of the youth is very high," he added.

SPYM executive director Rajesh Kumar made an appeal to representatives
of Panchayati Raj to prevent youth from getting into drug use and
channelize their energy towards development of self, family, society
and country at large.
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MAP posted-by: Matt