DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS

LEADS have vast working experience with Injecting Drug Users (IDU’s) since 2008. Naturally, we also have interaction with multiple drug users. Moreover, IDU’s are also almost are multiple drug users. The Vijayawada is the Andhra Pradesh state capital and it was identified as the most drug-affected district by the government. The menace of drug addiction has spread fast among the students. Educational institutions are without doubt the favourite places where illicit drugs are sold, shared and consumed. Many students act as agents of drug peddlers for quick money. Drug abuse seriously affects health security, peace and development, it affects relationships with family, friends, creating emotional and social problems. Increasing financial problems and increasing decreases. Drug dependence, low self-esteem, and hopelessness can lead to criminal activity and even suicidal tendencies. High risk of unintentional injuries and accidents. On 06-04-2021 DIG of police addressed students and stated that Andhra Pradesh is Second in alcohol consumption with 47% alcohol addicts and the Seventh place of opium conjunction with 3.67 lacks of addicts. As per the data published by the National Crime Records Bureau, Andhra Pradesh is among the top five states in the country, when it comes to suicide caused by drug abuse and alcohol which was answered in Lok Sabha on 30-11-2021.

The focus of the programme is to provide insight to the students about the seriousness of drug addiction.

• Create awareness and educate students about the ill effects of substance abuse.
• Awareness generation programs in schools and colleges involving students, teachers and parents.
• Awareness generation through social, print, digital and online media for the students.
• To conduct workshops, seminars and interactions with parents.
• To establish a Drop-in -Centre, this centre will have provision for screening, assignment and counselling and would provide linkage to treatment and rehabilitation services for drug dependents.
• Parents/teachers should be sensitised to develop skills to understand the psychology of the youth and to help them keep away from substance abuse and to accept to need for treatment.
• To conduct training programs for service providers both government and non-government organisations.
• Sensitization of at-risk students at regular intervals.
• Developing a student Volunteer resource, pool for effective preventive measures.
• Educating the student groups and developing student support networks for preventive education, awareness generation, social responsibilities 
• Handholding of the individuals, families on the spectrum of drugs and substance abuse.

Out of 65 High schools, 50 junior colleges, 32-degree colleges and 2 medical colleges are situated in Vijayawada urban area out of them we selected 50 institutions as our target based on priority measures and the targeted student population are approximately 20,000. Expected to impact the issue :

• Early identification of the drug use and associated factors.
• Awareness building on the ill effects of drug abuse.
• Reducing the stigmatization of students.
• Enhanced academic performance and prevention of drug abuse
• Involvement of students, teachers, parents and law enforcing authorities is preventive education program.
• Creating a pool of trained human resources personnel and service delivery mechanisms.
• To establish different forums with the parents involvement and equip them with necessary Skills.
• Capacity building of people who work with victims of drug abuse of student community.
• Initiation of treatment and rehabilitation services through Drop-in Centre with the support of trained peer educators for drug dependents of student community.