India is one of the major hubs of illicit drug trade ranging from age-old cannabis to newer prescription drugs like tramadol, and designer drugs like methamphetamine. The latest report released by United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) states that while the global trend of purchasing drugs over the internet, particularly on dark-net trading platforms using cryptocurrencies has already spread across South Asia, particularly rampant in India. Although the use of various psychoactive substances such as alcohol, cannabis and opioids has been observed in India for centuries, the current dimension of the extent and pattern of psychoactive substance use and the problems associated with their use are not well documented. Hence, there is a need to create awareness among the youngsters about the evils of substance abuse.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
In this context, as a part of the Personal and Professional Development Programme, the second year students of the Post Graduate Department of Criminology and Forensic Science had taken an initiative to present on the topic entitled ‘Instigating Social Responsiveness in the Prevention of Substance Abuse’ on 15th October 2019 at 3.30pm in the Maria Paiva Hall of the College. The students raised awareness on the issue by enacting a skit about abuse of drugs by the school children in the school premises and the role of teacher to control drug menace. Further, power point presentation containing various aspects of substance abuse including current Statistics, the inter-relation of drugs, crime and punishment, signs and symptoms of an addict, rehabilitation techniques were discussed which would help the students in their personal and professional life. The session was concluded with an effective video on impact of substance abuse on the families of the user. Around 150 Post Graduate students of the college and the faculties were present on this occasion.
