Launching the Sankalpam initiative at Dadi Institute of Engineering on Wednesday, Anakapalle District SP Tuhin Sinha, who leads the programme in the district, appealed the youth to stay away from drugs. He emphasised that youth often underestimate the risks, assuming that experimenting with drugs ‘just once’ is harmless.
However, he warned that even a single exposure can lead to dependency, trapping users in a cycle of reward and regret that becomes increasingly difficult to break. “Peer pressure, curiosity, and fear of social exclusion can draw youth toward drug abuse,” Sinha said, stressing that early intervention and education are essential.
As part of Sankalpam, the police use visual aids like posters, pamphlets, and banners in schools and colleges, along with videos and presentations, to educate students on the impact of drugs on physical health, mental well-being, family relationships, and communities. Following each session, students are encouraged to pledge to a drug-free life.
Psychologists believe that rather than suppressing stress, loneliness, or self-doubt, youth can learn resilience through counselling, mindfulness practices, or creative conduits like art and sports. They suggest these practices provide constructive coping mechanisms.
Sinha also highlighted the severity of laws on drug-related crimes, pointing out that while murderers may be eligible for 14 years in jail, drug offenders can face prison terms of up to 20 years. This reflects the government’s commitment to combatting drug abuse, he added.
