Govt to use 'nataks' to deter kids from using intoxicants

The government plans to teach children the ill-effects of using intoxicants through stories, songs, slogans and group discussions.

Submitting a detailed plan the government cited as to how nukkad nataks would be held to teach children the side effects of using intoxicants.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna directed the government to implement the new policy at the earliest.

The bench was hearing a PIL filed by a lawyer, Sanjeev Sabharwal, who sought an order for restricted access of eraser fluid, naphthalene balls, pain-relieving balms, nail paint remover, paint thinner, among other such substances, to school-going children.

The PIL was based on a news report and sought the court to direct the government to take preventive steps in the availability of certain daily items which were being used by school-going children for addiction by way of inhaling.

Sabharwal submitted before the bench that the government should ensure that such substances do not make way into schools and the parents must be made aware of widespread substance abuse among school children.

Costing just between Rs15 and Rs30, most children could buy these items with their pocketmoney. Some even go as far as inhaling petrol from their parents’ cars and parked bikes, the lawyer said.

According to the report, doctors said prolonged abuse could damage brain cells and cause cancer.