Ex addicts share experiences at one-day drug abuse workshop

Ex addicts share experiences at one-day drug abuse workshop

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, July 3, 2012 : Prajna Counselling Centre organized a one-day workshop on drug abuse prevention on July 2, Monday, during which it spread awareness on how drugs can wreck life. A number of ex drug addicts shared their life experiences.

 

 

Prajna Counselling Centre organized this workshop in collaboration with the Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Government of India.

One of them spoke about his addiction to Corex, a cough syrup. He said that he started taking the drug when he was a law student. Initially, he had to take only one bottle to feel good, but later, he had to take at least 11 bottles just to feel normal. Once a topper in his class, he now began faring badly in his exams. To make matters worse, he was found to have multiple blocks in his heart in 2007, after which he joined Narcotics Anonymous.

Another ex addict spoke of his addiction to alcohol, which he began taking out of loneliness and stress. As a result, he became alcoholic and was addicted to it for nearly 10 years, during which he even met with an accident. He later joined Prajna Counselling Centre and got himself de-addicted.

Speaking on the occasion, Hilda Rayappan said that drug abuse is a major problem of the younger generation, adding that young people start taking drugs and alcohol to impress their peers. Young people can also get addicted to mobile phones, TVs, or the Internet, she said.

Even women can fall prey to drug abuse and alcoholism, she said, adding that women are traditionally served alcohol for 40 days after delivery. Besides, most of those who prepare toddy are women, she added.