HYDERABAD: Parents and school authorities are worried a lot over the rising use of e-cigarettes and drugs among school children, with the police issuing notices to several prominent schools and doctors citing a sharp rise in cases of minors succumbing to the allure of such substances.
According to official figures, there were 2,498 cases of drug use or cigarette use by minors in 2022, which was a sharp rise from 900 cases logged in 2021. This year, the figure has already increased by 28 per cent, despite over a quarter of the year left.
Erram Poorna Shanthi Guptha of LB Nagar said, “Today's youths are becoming victims of addictive substances without realising the dangers. These substances are leading them down a path of self-destruction, blindly ignoring the painful experiences of their parents. They are not only harming themselves but also causing distress to their families. We must address the root causes of these drugs and eliminate them.”
Another parent from Chandanagar, unwilling to be named, slammed schools for failing to curb the menace. “School managements appear to prioritise fee collection. Additionally, they organise parent-teacher meetings and raise complaints about students who don't excel in exams, even if they haven't done anything wrong,” the parent said.
Dr Chennoju Veerender, a counselling psychologist, highlighted a 30 per cent increase in drug consumption among youngsters. He said that drugs can lead to emotional disturbances, as one type can induce excitement and joy, while the other causes drowsiness.
“Youngsters often prefer the first type, leading to a reliance on external substances for happiness. Those using drugs replace natural pleasures with chemical-induced ones, and they stop experiencing natural emotions in their life. This can drive them to engage in activities like stealing or drug peddling to sustain their drug use,” he said.
Authorities, meanwhile, called for the menace to be curbed through counselling and awareness.
Madhapur DCP Sandeep Rao said, “We're collaborating closely with educational institutions to create awareness and curb this dangerous trend. We made a few arrests on Sunday, in relation to e-cigarettes, specifically where minors and youngsters are targeted. The worrisome trend is growing steadily, prompting us to take precautionary steps. Drugs and e-cigarettes are being sourced from different states and countries, especially from Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.”
“We have issued notices to several prominent schools and are urging parents to address this issue proactively. Our kind request to both the schools and parents is to observe the children and if they come across any relevant information, inform us. Otherwise, we will consider them complicit in criminal activities as well,” he said.
GFX:
• Minors turn to drugs
• E-cigarettes and drugs under police scanner
• Drugs and e-cigarettes are mainly sourced from Kolkata, UP, and Jharkhand, say police
• 30% rise in minor drug abuse stated by experts
• 28% spike in minor drug-use cases from 2022, with over four months remaining in the year
• 2,498 cases logged in 2022,
• 900 cases logged in 2021
“Those using drugs replace natural pleasures with chemical-induced ones, and they stop experiencing natural emotions in their life. This can drive them to engage in activities like stealing or drug peddling to sustain their drug use” – Dr Chennoju Veerender, Counseling psychologist
