Rama Krishna Sangem
“People who suffer any kind of mental issues or habitual weaknesses or depressions should immediately come to psychiatrists,” said Dr Ramanan Eerat, Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) south zone president. He lamented that a large number of suffering from psychological issues are resorting to other harmful practices, like drug abuse and alcoholism etc.
He was addressing an awareness programme taken by IPS’ Telangana branch at a hotel in Hyderabad on June 25, Saturday. Dr Ramanan said mostly youth are affected by the drug abuse and they are left without any help from society in general. It is the duty of the parents, society and doctors, to face this challenge. The south zone of IPS is doing its best to combat this menace, he said.
Dr Gunupati Suresh Kumar, general secretary of IPS south zone explained the background of anti-drug abuse drives taken up in India right from 1985, when NCPD (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act was passed in India. The Government has set a target of making the country Nasha Mukth (free from drugs) and steps are underway to meet this goal.
IPS south zone vice-president Dr Kodiveti Uday Kumar recalled how drug abuse is growing in the country. He narrated a case of drug abuse in a Bangalore hotel some years back. Dozens of rich customers come to that place to get a snake bite, of drug induced, and were ready to pay huge amounts, Rs 1 lakh per a shot. “The police are doing their best, but they alone cannot stop this menace. People should come forward,’ he said.
IPS Telangana chapter president Dr George Reddy lamented that the drug abuse is going fast in the state. “Sadly, every kind of drug is available in the market and people from remote areas too are habituated to them”. Dr Kishan, senior doctor said that traditional methods like spirituality and yoga should be encouraged to tackle the drug abuse in society. Family values too would help in this mission.
Dr Vishal Akula, chairman of Awareness Committee of IPS Telangana chapter said that there is a need to have more psychiatrists in Telangana and elsewhere in the country to tackle the growing mental issues and depression. He said a large number of people were habituated to drugs and alcohol during the last three years of pandemic. “We will take up more awareness programmes in the coming days, said he.
