Agartala, June 18:
Amid raising concern in Tripura over the increasing incidence of drug abuse among youngsters, West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector Dr. Vishal Kumar emphasisedthat prevention remains the most effective solution and efforts must begin at the school level before children fall prey to addiction.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a two-day workshop on mental health, adolescent health, drug addiction prevention and child marriage at Pragya Bhavan, Dr. Kumar said most drug users begin consuming narcotics between the ages of 15 and 25, making early intervention crucial.
“Most drug users start during the age group of 15 to 25 years. It is therefore very important to work with children at the school level itself and help them develop a balanced mindset so that they never fall into the trap of addiction,” he said.
Referring to available data, the District Magistrate acknowledged that there has been an increase in the number of drug abuse cases. He said the government has taken the issue seriously and is now focusing on addressing the problem from its roots.
“We are starting from the grassroots. The objective is to ensure that children do not develop addiction in the first place. Prevention itself is the cure for this problem,” Dr. Kumar said.
He noted that drug addiction, child marriage and mental health issues among children and adolescents are among the most challenging social concerns today. He also pointed to the growing influence of social media and digital platforms on young people, saying many youths spend considerable time online, creating new challenges that require attention from parents, teachers and policymakers.
Emphasising the role of education and upbringing, Dr. Kumar said the way children are nurtured at home and guided in schools and colleges plays a decisive role in shaping their future.
“The root cause and the first line of intervention lie in our education system. How children are brought up, how they are guided at home, and how institutions such as schools and colleges handle them ultimately determines their future,” he added.
The workshop, organised by the District Mission Management Unit (DMMU), West Tripura under the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) in collaboration with SWABHIMAN, has brought together headmasters from schools across the state to discuss strategies for addressing mental health concerns, substance abuse and child marriage through awareness and early intervention.
