Say no to drugs: NRI police create awareness in schools

NERUL: The NRI police station, in a bid to curb drug and tobacco abuse, is conducting seminars on the harmful effects of substance abuse in municipal and private schools.

The first such seminar was held on Wednesday at t he NMMC school number 112 at Karawe along with Heart Foundation, a non-governmental organisation working against drug abuse through a project -PACT (Prevention of Abuse of Children and Teens).

Around 100 students of Class 9 participated in the seminar.

“I have always wanted to teach children about the dangers of consuming drugs and tobacco products in schools and colleges. So, we have taken this initiative with Heart Foundation to reach out to the youngsters,” said senior inspector Shekhar Bagde.

“We hope to have such awareness programmes for teachers, students and their parents. This programme will be a year-long one,” he said.

“We need to educate children against drug addiction and make them realise how important it is for them to help their friends who are into such habits,” said Jayakar Ellis, founder and president, Heart Foundation.

“These days, children are confronted with addiction, peer pressure, broken homes and pressure to perform. Domestic surroundings also play a vital role in a child’s life. We plan to continue such programs and help children tackle their problems without giving in to drug abuse,” he said.

“I have been addicted to tobacco for the past three years but I wanted to quit. I am so happy that I can now work towards leaving the bad habit,” said a student who attended the seminar. He was accompanied by three others who wanted to leave the habit.

“I am happy that such a programme is happening in our school. Such programmes are the need of the hour,” said Madhuri Narkhede, principal of the school.

The programme was held under the guidance of police commissioner Prabhat Ranjan and deputy commissioner Shahji Umap.