High alert, check students for drugs

by complaints from several parents that students were smoking hookah after classes, schools in Mumbai have started checking bags to ensure children are not carrying narcotic substances. Some schools are also organising workshops and spelling out policies to prevent substance abuse.

Swami Vivekananda International Schools in Kandivli recently received complaints from parents about students between 13 and 15 smoking hookah after school. “Parents told us children were frequenting hookah parlours and that some even bought a hookah that they smoke at friends’ homes after school,” said Yogesh Patel, school director. Patel has asked teachers to randomly inspect bags, both at the Kandivli campus and in its sister school in Malad.

“Students are indulging in such habits at a young age. Many of them smoke and drink before turning 14, “said Patel, calling the trend a result of bad parenting. “Parents today spoil their children by giving into all their demands, but not giving them their time. They don’t pay attention to their child’s friends’ cir cle, or what they do in their spare time. Instead, they are allowed to come home late or go for sleep overs and parties.”

Another school, SM Shetty School and Junior College Powai recently adopted a policy on what to do if alcohol or drugs are found in school bags. It said it will support children whose use of drugs and other addictive sub stances interfered with their academic performance.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND TEENS

A survey by Hindustan Times on August 17 showed nearly 90% of its respondents, between 14 and 20 years, were aware about drug abuse. Of 700 teens interviewed across 12 educational institutes in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and a few from Pune, 621 said drugs were the most common substance used by their peer group, followed by alcohol (585) and tobacco (342).

“Drugs have reached the minds of children as young as 14 This is the right time to make them aware of the consequences and so far, this has not been done,” said Dr Harish Shetty senior psychiatrist, who con ducted the study with psycholo gist Shalet Fernandes.