DAV Public School, Uppal's Southend, Sector-49, Gurugram, hosted an important Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness and Tackling session on 15.01.2025, in collaboration with CBSE. The workshop was specifically designed for the heads of CBSE schools, aiming to address the critical issue of substance abuse among students and offering actionable strategies for prevention and intervention at the school level.

The principal, Ms. Charu Maini, emphasised that tackling the issue of drug and substance abuse requires a unified approach, stating, "It takes a village to raise a child." She highlighted how the Gurugram administration, Health Department, Narcotics Control Bureau, and CBSE along with educational institutions have come together, working in close collaboration to address and combat this pressing issue. By joining forces, these departments aim to create a coordinated effort that will not only raise awareness but also provide the necessary resources and support systems to prevent substance abuse among students.

The event was graced by Mr. Ajay Kumar (IAS), Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram, who served as the Chief Guest of the day. In his address, he highlighted the importance of early intervention and the need for a coordinated approach involving all stakeholders to curb substance abuse among the youth.

Ms. Neeti Shankar Sharma, Deputy Secretary, Media and Public Relations, CBSE, apprised the audience about the objectives of the session. She spoke about CBSE's commitment to raising awareness and providing schools with the necessary resources to prevent substance abuse.

The workshop featured insightful sessions from several distinguished speakers. Dr. Anees Cherkunnath, IRS, Deputy Director, Narcotics Control Bureau, Delhi, shared valuable insights on the role of law enforcement in controlling the spread of drugs and provided practical steps schools can take to remain vigilant and proactive.

Ms. Pankhuri Kumar, SP, Narcotics Control Bureau, Gurugram, discussed practical approaches to identifying the early signs of drug abuse in students. She stressed the importance of collaboration between schools and the broader community to effectively tackle substance abuse.

Dr. Arvind Kumar, Chairman of Lung Transplant at Medanta- The Medicity, highlighted the serious health risks associated with substance abuse, especially its detrimental impact on the respiratory system in children under 18. He specifically pointed out the dangers of E-cigarettes, which are often mistakenly regarded as harmless, but contain high nicotine levels, making them even more potent.

The session also featured discussions by resource persons from Chinmaya International Residential School, Coimbatore, Ms. Shanti Krishnamurthy and Mr. Satish Kumar. Mr. Kumar highlighted the physical, psychological, and economic impacts of drug abuse, shedding light on the long-term consequences it has on both individuals and society. Ms. Krishnamurthy focused on coping mechanisms and emphasised the importance of openly acknowledging, discussing, and addressing the issue of substance abuse in schools and society.

The session included an interactive question-and-answer segment, during which approx 150 principals from schools across Delhi NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan engaged with the speakers. This lively discussion allowed participants to share experiences, challenges, and strategies related to combating substance abuse at the school level.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of the speakers, participants, and organizers. Feedback forms were distributed to the attendees to assess the effectiveness of the session and gather insights on the importance of such awareness initiatives at the school level. This session was a crucial step in creating awareness and empowering educators with the tools and knowledge to build a drug-free and healthy school environment for students.