Times of India
27June 2011
Chennai,India

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) will soon start anti-narcotics clubs in city colleges to create awareness about drug abuse among students, its zonal director S Davidson Devasirvatham said here on Sunday.

There are no statistics on the number of students abusing drugs and narcotics but the bureau fears that an increasing number of students are now getting addicted. Students who are a part of these clubs will have discussions on the side-effects of drugs, make posters and act as whistleblowers to prevent trading and misuse of narcotic drugs in campuses.

The clubs will work closely with members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NCC). “Many young men are getting addicted to drugs. We hope awareness will help us curb this social menace, „Devasirvatham told reporters. He flagged off a ‘campaign on wheels’ ‾ a vehicle carrying messages on the ill-effects of drug abuse and trafficking as part of a road show in the city for a week. On Saturday, Madras Medical College started an anti-narcotic club.

“Students start on drugs to get some pleasure but soon become addicts. As medicos, we want students to stop drug abuse, „ said MMC dean Dr K Kanakasabai. More than 1,200 members of the college are already registered in the anti-narcotics club, which will prevent the usage of drugs and tobacco products.

The college has found several students addicted to inhaling whiteners, paint and petrol. “Many such students who start on these move on to heroin and other deadly drugs, „ says MMC pharmacology director Dr R Nandini. Some children mix the date rape drug an odourless and colourless narcotic − in juices and bottled drinks. “It’s an instant high. Many become unconscious, „ she said.

Zonal director of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) S Davidson Devasirvatham flags off a drug awareness campaign van at the Rajaji Bhavan in the city on Sunday