With the number of youngsters taking to drugs rising in Powai, the residents have decided to take the fight against the menace head on.
On Sunday, more than 25 affluent residential societies met at Hiranandani hospital to discuss ways to tackle the menace. Under the guidance of psychiatrists, residents will form support groups to campaign against the rampant use of drugs and spread awareness messages across Powai.
"Following up with our efforts to spread awareness on drug education for youth, we had a meeting with secretaries and chairmen of more than 25 residential societies in Powai. They shared their stories of increasing drug addiction in the locality. Apart from raising concerns, the meeting focused on coming up with solutions too," said Mamta Asthana, project co-ordinator, The Lakers.
While discussing the problem that is leading to increase in drug addiction among teenagers, it was found that areas like basement parking, staircases and gardens were used by the children. "We decided to form small support groups. One of them will do surprise check in these areas as well as look for tell-tale signs in the complex and report to concerned building committee," said Mamta.
According to psychiatrists and residents, Powai has seen increasing number of boys and girls in the age bracket of (13-20) smoking weed in public in the refuge area of buildings, parks, gardens and many other public places.
The residents also decided to form a support group that will reach the drug addict in the society and his/her family and be the first counsellor. "There will be a support group to reach out to drug addict and his/her family as well as a support group who will work in spreading awareness," added Mamta.
Seeing the alarming rise number of youths getting addicted to drugs like cannabis, Dr LH Hiranandani hospital's psychiatry department, along with The Lakers [Rotary Club], launched a programme – Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) – to educate parents and create awareness. The association has empowered the residents on tell-tale signs to look around for drug addiction.
Dr Harish Shetty, senior psychiatrist at Dr LH Hiranandani hospital, said, "As a parent/responsible citizen, we need to understand that drug addicts are not criminals. They need our help. The residential societies openly talking about the issue that will go a long way in capturing the drug addiction in the society."
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