\'Single parenting\' and \'over-disciplining\' behind many drug abusers
Visakhapatnam: Several youths involved in drug abuse cases here were found to be victims, in their childhood, of single parenting or of attempts at over-disciplining of kids by parents.
Police investigators went deep into the background of such youths, especially college students and noticed such a background for drug-abuse. Drug abuse cases involved labourers, businessmen, private sector employees and college students, among others.
The Vizag City Police (VCP) said they launched an Anti-narcotic Cell a few months ago to deal with drug abuse cases. About 100 cases were registered by this cell so far, and about 300 drug abusers have been arrested.
According to Uma Mahendra Raj, chairperson of the Green Valley Foundation’s de-addiction centre, children of 'single parents' take more responsibility for the family upkeep, while some other children are easily drawn to risk-zones such as drug abuse and addiction. “It all depends on how the child is raised,” she said.
"Yes, single parent situations are a motivating factor and triggering point for drug abuse," Raj said.
Referring to the Magnitude of Substance Use in India report released by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC) New Delhi, Raj said there are 16 crore alcohol users in India. Of these, 5.7 crore people need help for alcohol-use disorders.
Of the 3.1 crore people who use cannabis, 72 lakh are problematic users and 25 lakh dependent users.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Vizag Police Commissioner Srikanth said he had also found youngsters from single parent families engaged in drug abuse. Apart from this, the 'over-discipline' obsession of parents forced children to stay away from their parents. They try to make money for their needs by participating in quick income sources like drug trafficking, he said.
"Drug peddlers woo vulnerable youths to expand their chain and turn them into peddlers. We have launched this anti-narcotic drug cell specifically to whip these people. Our goal is to weed out the roots," Srikanth said.
Online platforms are a reason why youths get easy access to drug rackets, do supply and sale of such drugs. Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, etc. are among the platforms for communication, he said.
