The Punjab government is going to conduct drug sleuthing to break the drug network, but the roots of drug abuse have now spread to schools. School children are ordering e-cigarettes and other drugs on WhatsApp groups and smugglers are delivering them to the school gates.
When some journalists investigated several cases in big cities like Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Amritsar and Gurdaspur, it came to light that the addiction of children started with easily available ‘energy drinks’. Gradually, this addiction increased so much that these children reached Chitta (heroin). On March 7, an eight-year-old boy from Tibba Road, who was addicted to Chitta, was brought to the Ludhiana Civil Hospital’s drug de-addiction centre. He got addicted to it from his friends and started stealing from the house. When he was brought to the hospital, it was found that he had been taking drugs for the last six months. Similarly, in Shimlapuri, a 12-year-old girl came in contact with an acquaintance and started injecting herself with drugs. A student from Talwandi Sabo, who is undergoing treatment at a drug de-addiction centre in Bathinda, said that after seeing her friends, she started drinking energy drinks from a shop near her school. When I felt a different kind of addiction, it became a habit. After a few months, a youth from the village gave her drugs. Then the chain reached Chitta. A 21-year-old youth admitted to a drug de-addiction centre in Gurdaspur said that he had started drinking alcohol after his girlfriend left him. Gradually, this addiction increased to the point that he became addicted to heroin. When his money started running out, he started selling drugs himself. Similarly, in Amritsar, it was revealed that children were smoking cigarettes in the school bathrooms. The sanitation workers have informed the school administration about this several times, but no concrete action has been taken so far. Some children have started going to illegal hookah bars after lying to their families.
Police not paying attention
Many cases of minors falling victim to drugs are coming to light in the state, but the police are not taking any concrete action on it. Police officials have also admitted that their focus is more on heroin, smack and ice smugglers. ADCP Crime, Ludhiana, Amandeep Singh Brar said that they have registered some cases but smugglers are finding new ways to supply drugs to children.
The principal of a convent school in Jalandhar said that many children told that drugs are also available at paan shops located near the school. However, they provide it only to knowledgeable and loyal customers. When customers place orders in code words. Apart from this, the principals of two schools in Ludhiana also said that energy drinks are also available at milk booths around schools, which are proving to be very dangerous. He has also informed the police several times, but no action has been taken.
The ‘people’ believe that whatever action the government is taking against drug peddlers is commendable, but this network cannot be broken unless attention is paid to it and those supplying drugs to schools are put behind bars. Parents and school administrators will also have to pay special attention. Regular checks should be conducted in schools so that students do not consume drugs. Awareness campaigns against drug abuse should not be limited to schools only, but parents should also be taught to recognize the symptoms of drug abuse in their children and contact the police and health department without any hesitation. Strict laws should be made to punish those selling drugs to minors.
Punjab government bans sale of energy drinks in state schools
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said that the Punjab government is making people of all classes and also school children aware about the ill effects of drugs to eradicate drugs from the state. The Health Minister said that at a young age, more children get addicted to drinking energy drinks, which is more harmful to health. Energy drinks contain a lot of caffeine, which is why the sale of energy drinks in schools has been banned. He said that this decision has been taken by the health department keeping in mind the health of children. Along with this, he said that this decision will also be applicable to all schools in Punjab.
What does Canada’s Health Report say
A research conducted at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, has said that youth below the age of 16 should be prohibited from drinking such drinks.
A recent study found that 55 percent of young people aged 12 to 24 had experienced serious health effects after drinking energy drinks. These included increased heart rate and even heart attack. Researchers asked more than 2,000 young people how often they drank energy drinks like Red Bull or Monster. Researchers say that energy drinks may be more dangerous because of the way they are consumed compared to other caffeinated beverages. The study found that 24.7 percent of people who drank energy drinks felt their heart rate increase. While 24.1 percent of peoplesaid that they were not feeling sleepy after drinking it. Apart from this, 18.3 percent of people felt headache, 5.1 percent felt heart palpitations, vomiting or diarrhea and 3.6 percent felt chest pain. Although the reason for the researchers’ concern was that these young people had only drunk one or two energy drinks. Still, they were feeling such side effects. Regarding the study, Prof. David Hammond says that currently there is no ban on children buying energy drinks. Along with the sale in grocery stores, its advertisements are made targeting children. He said that the results of the study indicate that there is a need to increase monitoring of the health effects of these products.
