Educators can be tools in the fight against drug abuse.

A day-long online orientation program was conducted for teachers, principals and staff of civic-run schools to impart information on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, narcotic drugs, their side effects and measures to prevent drug addiction. To mixed reviews.

The program was organized by Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) Mumbai Police and BMC Civic School teachers to counsel their students and create awareness about drug addiction. Around 7,000 teachers, principals and non-teaching staff attended the orientation and many appreciated the initiative. However, some felt that one day training was not enough.

One suggestion was that these programs should be expanded to private schools. Students in those schools can get the money and as a result they get more access to drugs and get stuck in the rut of addiction. In general, this is a good initiative, but one thinks that the monitoring and workshops will continue in a consistent and organized manner, so that we can make these more effective.

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Often, there is a ‘gap* between students and teachers. In a rapidly changing world, educators and collaborators may not be aware of how young people can be lured into dangerous drug addiction. This will help them realize that and fight addiction by bridging the ‘gap* between student and teacher.

These informative and educational sessions should build an overview of addiction, signs, symptoms and risks.

Teachers and school staff play the role of a bridge between parents and students, so a teacher with more knowledge on addiction can point out red flags to families and even guide parents on what to do for their child now. As they say, knowledge is power and empowered school teachers are a tool to prevent drug abuse.