Date:04/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070451070200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Play enacted on effects of drug abuse

Staff Reporter

— Photo: R.Ashok

SAY ‘NO’ TO DRUGS: Students enacting a play in connection with International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Tiruchi.

TIRUCHI: There is no substitute to street plays when it comes to creation of mass awareness on vital issues.

Cashing in on this, students of the Department of Social Welfare of Holy Cross College in Tiruchi enacted a street play at three centres in the city to drive home the ill-effects of drugs as part of observance of ‘International Day against Drug Abuse.’

Sponsored by the Sisters of the Cross Society for Education Development (SOC SEAD), the play centred around a person addicted to alcohol and drugs. It brought out the havoc it causes to his family members who are forced to face various ordeals, including social stigma against the family and economic ruin.

“The response of the people who watched the play was overwhelming,” says S. Diaz, SOC SEAD Project Co-ordinator of Integrated Rehabilitation Centre which has been offering de-addiction counselling and treatment to alcoholics.

Mr. Diaz said that a social responsibility would be the best strategy to prevent the youths from falling prey to the evil influences of alcohol or drugs. With the youths more prone to turn addicts, parents should closely monitor their wards. Identification of any shift in the behavioural pattern of the young family members would act as a preventive measure.

Developing irritation, a sudden bondage with a known alcoholic friend or relative, missing of cash or jewels at homes are some of the vital clues to the initial phase of a youth coming under the influence of drugs or alcoholic beverages.

“Early de-addiction counselling is often more effective and takes less time in restoring the youths to normalcy,” he says.

The play was staged at the Chathiram Bus Stand, Central Bus Stand and Gandhi Market. Earlier, Director of SOC SEAD Sister Maria Kamalam flagged out a rally and inaugurated the campaign. Counsellors Thamaraiselvi, Muthukumaran and Shagaya Yortha spoke on the community responsibility for creating a drug-free society.