Drug Addiction in Schools: (International Perspective) Humanistic Approach

By Prof. Rajinder M. Kalra

Drug abuse has become very common among students in the university and schools. Drugs are being misused by students within the university for various reasons. The most common reason being stress. To cope with the competition and ever increasing work load of the program students resort to taking drugs either to relieve stress or to stay awake all night to study. Another reason for taking drugs is peer pressure, the pressure to fit in and try something new. Drugs have become fashionable, are easily available and students take it because they feel it is normal, just like having an alcoholic drink in a social gathering. They usually start with a mild drug and then move on to harder ones like cocaine and heroin. The unfortunate part in Indian universities is the lack of support system for the students. There is no focus on creating a positive environment for the students to relieve their stress and discuss their problems. Drugs are like a disease taking over our society with no end. I am deeply concerned with this situation. I am indebted to be invited to become volunteer assistant for such an important project. We will do whatever we can to assist in this project so that it can bring resolution to this epidemic in our society.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Feb 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469167534

Prof. Rajinder M. Kalra

Prof. Rajinder M. Kalra is Professor Emeritus, International Institute of Adult and lifelong Education Delhi India. He is also Member of B.C. College of teachers Canada Dr. Kalra is former Adjunct Professor at the faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby B.C. Canada and was also appointed as a Visiting Professor OISE University of Toronto, Ontario and University of Washington Bellingham (Washington state) U.S.A. He worked as Senior Academic Consultant on HIV/AIDS projects in Progressive Intercultural community Society (PICS), Vancouver, Canada. Prof. Kalra was Dean (Academic), National Institute of Education (NCERT), National Council of Educational Research and Training Delhi (India) Prof. Kalra has won international recognition (STAR AWARDS- Washington D.C., The Chemical Institute of Canada Award Ottawa) for his outstanding contributions is educational experimentation and innovations. Dr. Kalra has participated in Commonwealth, UNESCO, UNDP and UNICEF projects as project coordinator, consultant and principal investigator. He has authored several books and articles in various international journals. For his academic contributions please refer to Google. com R.M. Kalra

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Copyright © 2012 by Prof. Rajinder M. Kalra.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4691-6752-7

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4691-6753-4

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Dr. Rakesh Mehta MD FRCPC FACIP (Honorary Contributing Author)

Contributing Author (Hony) Archana Uppal

Research Assistants (Honorary)

Ms. Nikki Brar (Former school student from Abbotsford, B.C. Canada)

Rajan Brar (Student from Manipal Dental Medical College, India)

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

One Ecstasy Pill Can Ruin a Life

Introductory Note

Do you know?

Introduction  Drug Abuse Scenario—International Perspective

Chapter—1  Drug Addiction—Introspection

Chapter—2  Interaction with Student Addicts

Chapter—3  Clarification of Values

Chapter—4  Need for a Congenial Environment

Chapter—5  Behavior Modification Skills for Teachers

Chapter—6  Alcohol Education Curriculum

Chapter—7  Psychic Drugs: Alcohol and You (An exemplary curriculum unit for school teachers and students)

Chapter—8  Drug Addiction and AIDS

Chapter—9  Preventive Strategies for Student Addicts

Chapter—10  Community Awareness Drive

Chapter—11  Suggestions for Improvement of Teaching-Learning Situations

Chapter—12  Bibliography

Appendix—I  Useful Information for Teacher and Parents (General slang terms used by Drug Addicts)

Appendix—II  Drug Abuse and its Accessibility (Asian Continent)

In Loving Memory of Reverend Mother Teresa

Her vision helped me to see

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Dr. Rakesh Mehta MD, FRCPC FACIP is a Clinical Associate Professor, New York Medical College, New York. He has authored books on social issues such as HIV/AIDS among younger generation basing on values clarifications among adolescents.

Archana Uppal is a public health specialist and physical therapist in Michigan, USA. She is the owner of Southeast Rehabilitation, and is involved in the welfare of minority communities. She has assisted in editing this book.

Ms. Nikki Brar and Mr. Rajan Brar (Research Assistants).

Young students and budding professionals from Canada and India, have kindly shared their thoughts and observations about the problems of substance abuse among their younger generation.

I have tasted my own hunger

Sold my body to survive

Lord, I know I am bound for heaven

Because I have done my time in hell

—Children of the Night

by Singer Richard Marx

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Addicts should not be ostracized from society. Why they smoke is not know? So they should not be condemned. They should be made to feel that they are wanted. They should feel that they are cared for.

Mother Teresa

Acknowledgements

The author (Kalra) expresses his special gratitude to late Reverend Mother Teresa and his holiness the Dalai Lama noble laureates for their inspiration in his academic and professional growth.

The author is also indebted to the following persons:

—Late Mr. C.M Chawla, CMD, Vikas Publishing House Private LTD. Delhi, India. For his valuable contributions and encouragement in this academic venture.

—Late Mrs. and Dr. P.C. Mehta for being a source of inspiration for the author.

—Special thanks to Mr. Piyush Chawla and Ms. Veena Baswani for their academic advice.

—Dr. Rakesh Mehta faculty member of New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York for his cooperation and encouragement.

Nikki Brar’s Observations

British Columbia, Canada

In today’s generation, the common problem among young students is the use of drugs. The teen years are known to be the most difficult and challenging years in a young teen’s life. There is a lot of confusion of identity, ‘knowing oneself in relation to losing oneself.’ Everyone wants to be accepted and have the feeling of belonging to a group, it is very cool.

Therefore, students begin using drugs often because they’re feeling pressure from their peers. In order to fit in with others and have a ‘normal’ high school life they feel their only option is to do what everyone else is doing. Not only feeling this pressure from their peers but stress put on them from higher authority figures to do well can also cause them to do drugs in attempt to relax themselves. Often they see an appeal in getting a chance to escape from reality and get away for a while. Peer pressure comes mainly from social influences among friends, school, community and acquaintances. Drugs are present everywhere, and they are easily available to the teenagers.

As a community we need to educate the kids and the parents on use of drugs and its affect on the kids and society as a whole. There is a need to create an awareness amongst the students so they can make better choices. I hope by volunteering for this project  Drug Addiction in Schools-International Perspective I can contribute to finding a resolution to this situation.

I am delighted to be invited to work as a volunteer on this project.

Nikki

Research Assistant

Student

British Columbia, Canada

Rajan Brar Indian Student Observations

Drug abuse has become very common among students in the university and schools. Drugs are being misused by students within the university for various reasons. The most common reason being stress. To cope with the competition and ever increasing work load of the program students resort to taking drugs either to relieve stress or to stay awake all night to study. Another reason for taking drugs is peer pressure, the pressure to fit in and try something new. Drugs have become fashionable, are easily available and students take it because they feel it is normal, just like having an alcoholic drink in a social gathering. They usually start with a mild drug and then move on to harder ones like cocaine and heroin. The unfortunate part in Indian universities is the lack of support system for the students. There is no focus on creating a positive environment for the students to relieve their stress and discuss their problems. Drugs are like a disease taking over our society with no end. I am deeply concerned with this situation. I am indebted to be invited to become volunteer assistant for such an important project. We will do whatever we can to assist in this project so that it can bring resolution to this epidemic in our society.

Rajan Brar

Research Assistant

University Student India

One Ecstasy Pill Can Ruin a Life

Ms.Santosh Kalra Teacher Comments

Recently there has been an alarming increase indeaths due to drug abuse especially ecstasy pills in among school students.In British Columbia,Canada (THE NEWS Jan 6,2012) deaths related to ecstacy have been heart rendering stories.

Ecstasy (MDMA) is frequently used teenagers as it is a MOOD ELEVATOR releasing a chemical called serotonin in the brain which is a short time antidepressant.This horrible menace has become a popular drug used in rave and teenage parties.

Ecstasy is man made and is easily accessible to drug addicts in a tablet, capsule or powder form in different colours. It’s chemical composition is similar to Cocaine, LSD, PSP resulting in elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate which may lead to heart failures, stroke and kidney failure. Anxiety and depression are common effects of any drug abuse.

Recent deaths in secondary school students in Canada, USA, India, Africa and around the world have hurt the parents, peers and society tremendously.

The British Columbia Coroners Association (Canada) has reported 10 to 24 ecstasy related deaths every year from 2007-2010.

Drug abuse is a global menace among scholl students and is related to a Values Crisis.

How many more youngsters have to lose their lives before some effective measures are to be adopted by teachers, parents, school administrators and health officials to check this menace?

This book titled DRUG ADDICTION IN SCHOOLS is a humble effort by the author. It is a revised version of an earlier book by the author, with a foreword by REV. Mother Teresa.

Ms.Santosh Kalra (Retired Teacher)

Introductory Note

I am the much grieved father of Master Ravindra Singh (Ravi), a brilliant boy who succumbed to drug