Today’s  younger generation  sees no wrong in abusing  substances and drugs.  Rather, without any remorse  they feel  that by doing so, they are conforming to a ‘cool’ image. And this phenomenon is no longer limited to cities or to a particular section of society.
Exposure and addiction to alcohol, tobacco (gutka), sedatives sold over medical counters despite  regulations, sniffing of inhalants such as glue and whitener are posing a serious problem. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) report titled ‘The Tobacco use and Control  Efforts’ issued in 2008-09, around  9.7 percent  teenage girls in India use some form of tobacco. Similarly, 17.3 per cent teenage boys have taken to drug abuse. The study also revealed that tobacco use in India started at quite a young age and in many cases at schools.
Drug abuse is growing in Kashmir also. We see around us, youngsters probably school going boys with cigarettes in their hands  and smoking  as if it is any kind  of protein, nutrient etc.  What prompts these teenagers to use addictive substances? Experts point out to various aspects; To kill boredom, to be accepted by peers , to escape from family problems or to relieve the tension  of not performing  well in academics
One of the senior Sociologist of Valley M.A Peerzada says that the main causes of drug addiction in Kashmir is unemployment, corruption, declining control of parents over their wards and youngsters moving away from their religious faith. Also taking drugs or abusing substances is seen to be easiest route to gain  popularity among friends , or to impress their opposite  gender  .
 A drug addict Seftain (Name changed) says that he started using addictive substances when he failed in his examination and his family members started cursing him for the failure. The matter is further compounded with parents getting to spend less time with their children and trying to compensate it by paying money and fulfilling their every demand.
Now  the question arises  what should be the responsibility of parents, teachers , concerned citizens and Government. What we need to do is discuss this subject openly, share facts and information on drugs  with the youngster’s, clear myths and misconceptions associated with drug use , impart the youngster’s with refusal and negotiation skills so that when they are  offered drugs, they can firmly  and politely say,” No thank you, we have better things in life to do.”
Also we should help our youngsters to develop will power in themseles to resist their temptations of  getting involved in abuse of drugs. Another important  thing  is the upbringing of the children . Parents have to take a call on how much space they are given.They need to keep close eye on their wards and their friends and the persons they meet. This will help them to keep their children away from the rising abuse of drugs and substances.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 5 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST