Why not to introduce random student drug testing as a measure to curb drug abuse?
There is no denying the fact that the menace of drug addiction in our young generation is a serious threat to socio-economic order. if uncontrolled, it can cause social turmoil and is loaded with the dangerous dimensions where wiping out the future of generations should not be a surprise. The ongoing ‘Nasha Mukht Abhiyan’ to create awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and also launching extensive crackdown against the drug peddler speaks about the seriousness of the government to curb the menace. The results so far have been encouraging as law enforcing agencies and people in general have joined hands to go all out against the drug peddler and eradicate the menace.
In the given circumstances, it’s education which serves as the principal means of preventing drug abuse. When we talk of education, it means school based approach is inevitable as they are well placed to provide focused attention to students needing interventions for drug abuse, mental health, academic, emotional or social issues. Experts fervently believe that the school environment is well positioned to provide a standard against which students test behaviour.
Here, teachers serve as highly influential role models by which students judge themselves. Teachers should develop positive relationships with students and their families. They need to communicate and interact effectively with their students. A teacher has to be skilled to manage behaviour change of their students successfully.It has been found that adolescents who perceive their teachers care about them are less likely to develop a tendency towards drugs, smoking and other health risk behaviour.
Educational institutions are duty bound to work with community partners and doctors to identify students with signs and symptoms of drug abuse. Notably, a strong parent-teacher cor-ordination also plays a significant role in drug abuse prevention. Programmes that are tailored, initiated and implemented in consultation can prove not only more successful, but will also empower parents. Schools can assist parents by providing them with information on health and drug issues as a group.
Many researchers have stated that schools are the future of drug abuse prevention. They feel that there should be more counselling and student assistance programmes in every school. Counselling at school level has a huge effect on children, who, when out of curiosity, peer pressure or any other reason start trying one of the abused substances, can be helped right in the school premises.
Lastly, there is a need to take a bold step to see an end to drug menace. An option can be explored where educational institutes can adopt random student drug testing to decrease drug misuse and illicit drug use among students. Drug testing can identify those teens who have started using illicit drugs and would benefit from early intervention. Precisely, this random testing will serve as a deterrent and will help students to develop mental strength to resist drug abuse.
-Sajjad Bazaz