Lucknow: Parents must look out for signs of drug abuse

LUCKNOW: If your child behaves abnormally, or shows unusual changes in routine, keep an eye out for drug abuse.
A private NGO with the Narcotics Control Bureau organised an awareness programme in Hazratganj on the eve of UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
NGO director Kumar Deepak told TOI that most cases that they receive in their facility could have been prevented if parents or elders would have remained more vigilant.
"To gain acceptance and popularity among the senior group of friends, youths often experiment with drugs.In most of the cases when a child starts consuming drugs or alcohol there are four major changes in his body and behaviour," he said.
Physical changes are apparent like tiredness, redness in eyes, cough, weight loss, loss of appetite and injection marks on the body. Psychological changes like sudden change in the mood, irritability, reckless behaviour, low self-esteem, depression and lack of interest also manifest. Then, a child loses interest in the family, has less bonding with family members, picks up quarrels, withdraws from family gatherings and has a tendency to answer back. In school, there is less interest in studies, bunking of classes and quarrels with teachers and classmates.
Assistant director of Narcotics Control Bureau, Lucknow unit, Sunil Dubey said that enforcement is necessary to curb the usage of drugs but for any law enforcement agency the most important thing is information.
Along with the agencies, social workers and NGOs can also help curb drug usage.