The problem of the increase in psychoactive substance abuse must be addressed

Navneet Kour
Drug and alcohol addiction is becoming a serious problem in India. The stigma associated with substance abuse needs to be reduced. Society needs to understand that drug addicts are victims, not criminals, and they need help and proper treatment. Substance abuse is on the rise. Some of them are our everyday beverages like tea and coffee. Alcohol, cigarettes, etc. are known to be addictive. Excessive consumption of any of them leads to addiction. There are drugs sold under the guise of sleeping pills or smile pills. They can have far-reaching negative effects even after a single dose. We all need to understand the reality of substance abuse and what parents can do to educate, communicate and protect their child’s future. Over the last two decades, the world has seen an increase in substance abuse and addiction, as well as an increase in deaths due to drug overdose. Helping a loved one struggling with substance abuse is difficult but necessary. When we talk about the rise in addiction and abuse during and after the pandemic, all we need to do is how can you be a better partner to a loved one who is struggling. Drug abuse among teens is on the rise and the risk of overdose is real. My main goal through NGO SUPPORT, which is a global Voluntary Society, is to bring the drug and substance abuse initiative among teens to schools and colleges.
I can categorically say that this is a fight that we are largely losing. More and more teenagers are taking drugs and this has serious negative knock-on effects. Drug addiction and abuse is on the rise and this problem is compounded by factors such as the stress of modern life, family problems, poverty, unemployment and social unrest. Youngsters, especially students, often experiment with drugs under the false impression that it is a status symbol or a way to cope with stress and pressure and end up as drug addicts. Addiction occurs when its abuse affects the work and normal family life of a person. It creates a domino effect on the life of the user and their immediate circle of family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances. Substance abuse causes a huge personality change in the user and those who care for them. Drug addiction affects not only the addict but also their family members and friends. Drug and substance abuse is on the rise not only in Jammu and Kashmir but all over India. Young people in different parts of the country are turning to drugs to escape the problems of their daily lives, the stress of unemployment and many other things. This is currently leading to widespread mental health problems, addiction and death. Something needs to be done and fast. The reality is that addressing the problem of youth drug abuse in our union territory requires a multi-pronged approach. Education is key. Schools should include comprehensive drug education programmes to raise awareness of the risks and consequences of substance abuse. Another important step is broad community involvement. We need to establish local community engagement, support groups and counselling services that allow young people struggling with drug abuse to have a safe place to discuss their challenges and seek guidance. It is important to seek help for addiction as soon as possible. If you or someone close to you is experiencing negative consequences related to drug or alcohol use, such as problems at work or in relationships, difficulty controlling substance use, withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit or using drugs or alcohol to cope with difficult emotions, it may be time to seek professional help. The sooner you seek help, the better your chances of achieving lasting recovery and improving your overall well-being. Rehabilitation centers are dedicated spaces that help a person focus on recovery. They offer a structured life for a person struggling with addiction so they can focus on recovery while taking care of their daily activities.
Rehabilitation centers also have a customized treatment plan that focuses on relieving symptoms and is tailored to the unique needs of the person in recovery. Such centers also include 24/7 monitoring and medical supervision so that the person struggling with addiction is always under care. We need to understand the seriousness of the situation of addicts and provide them with the best possible ways to recover from addiction-related problems. We all need to offer professional counseling sessions to addicts to eliminate the chances of depression returning even after the rehabilitation treatment is over. The priority is to restore these patients to their daily social lives. Help us spread this message of awareness by working with government and non-governmental organizations to reach young children and adolescents. It is important to dispel the myths about releasing stress and anxiety with substances. Help this reach as many people as possible. One stitch in time saves nine! In addition, it is crucial to strengthen the actions of law enforcement.
Focus on disrupting drug supply chains and apprehending traffickers. At the same time, offer rehabilitation instead of punitive measures for petty offenders to break the cycle of abuse. Government and NGOs need to work together and intensify their work in this area to ensure protection for younger generations. Over the past two decades, we have also seen that the mental health crisis includes an increase in anxiety, depression, substance abuse and other mental illnesses.
Collaboration between the government, NGOs and the private sector is equally essential. The government must allocate funds to set up treatment centres that provide medical, psychological and social support to those in recovery. Efforts to promote alternative forms of recreation need to be intensified. We are talking about investing in sports, arts and cultural programmes that provide young people with positive outlets for their energy and creativity, reducing their susceptibility to drugs. Another important factor is parental involvement and awareness. Governments and their partners need to provide resources to parents so that they can recognise the signs of drug abuse and have open conversations with their children about the risks. Parents need to open their eyes. We need to organise meetings with various religious leaders in the union territory of J&K to discuss the alarming rise in substance abuse in the UT of J&K. Drug addiction rehabilitation is a difficult process. However, with strong commitment and the right support and treatment, it is possible to overcome addiction and return to a normal and fulfilling life. The treatment plan should include detoxification, counselling, therapy and medication, if required. It has best infrastructure and very peaceful environment as compared to other Nasha mukti Kendra.
Recovery from addiction is a long-term process that requires commitment and effort. We need to motivate our patients to practice healthy habits, exercise and nutrition, which will further aid in the recovery process. We need specialized counselors, counseling centers and several detox centers dedicated to implementing the drug awareness programs of the government. Continuous monitoring, research and adaptation are also crucial. There must be ways to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions and adjust the strategies based on changing trends and observations. Combating drug abuse among the youth requires a united and persistent effort. We at NGO SUPPORT in collaboration with GOI approach our work with a deep commitment to supporting individuals in their quest for holistic recovery over the last two decades. The campaigns have been supported by NGO SUPPORT in colleges, universities, NCCs and NSS Cadets. We thank Dept of NCB Jammu Zone for taking efforts to create awareness among youth of Jammu and Kashmir through bike rallies, rallies, poster competitions, seminars, campaigns, Nukad Nataks and talk shows in association with NGO SUPPORT. We have to continue this journey to create awareness for future generations and have a drug free Jammu and Kashmir.
(The author is the founder and chairman of NGO SUPPORT).