Every Child has a Right to a drug/alcohol free school….

The term ‘addiction’ brings to our minds images of hardcore drug addicts we often see near bus stands, under flyovers and at railway stations. We seldom associate this term with young school going children .Addictions were not only talked physical substances one consumes such as tobacco ,Correction fluid, alcohol or drugs, but may include habits like cell phones, video games, internet, relationships etc. Time to time ,same concerns have been shared by teachers and counselor on this aspects of the addiction or so to say habits. When a person is addicted to something he cannot control himself and becomes dependent on it to cope with daily life.

Contrary to popular belief, drug use is not a subject of hospitals and De-addiction centers only. Schools have to play a very proactive role in substance abuse prevention.Institute of counsellor training Research and Consultancy (ICTRC) organized National Convention of School Counsellors on ‘Addiction in School Children – New Age Challenges’ New Delhi last year. I was invited to speak on the subject of drug addiction among school population and role of counselor. The objective of this convention was to equip school counsellors/ teacher-counselors to deal with the complex problem of addiction effectively. Apart from general inputs on drug abuse among school going children, the following points were focused while preparing schools for substance abuse prevention.

• At some schools it may not be possible to have two separate staff members to provide counseling and discipline. Where possible, however, those roles should be separated in order to increase the effectiveness of intervention in both areas

• Teachers should consider their level of skill and knowledge before intervening, remembering that limitations also relate to issues such as available time, confidentiality and student acceptance. Teachers should be prepared, if necessary, to refer to or seek the advice of a drug counselor/NGO like Nada India Foundation.

Pehchaan Helpline for young people 09268441080

"Children on drugs turn to counsellors for help.. Helpline number 1800116888"

In what is coming across as a disturbing trend, school students between 10 and 16 years of age are turning to counsellors to fight drug addiction. The helpline Yuva, jointly run by the Delhi government’s education department and the State Council of Education Research and Training  (SCERT), receives five calls related to substance abuse on an average per day.

There is a strong need to adopt the following steps towards making each school "A drug free school"

• Drug policy at school level
• Counselor as prime mover for drug prevention 
• Zero tolerance for substance use in the school by staff & students
• Inclusive demand reduction policy  ............. We must realize that every Child has a right to a drug/alcohol  free school & family…