Bhavans IES Holds a Session on Drug Addiction- Awareness and Prevention
A session on 'Drug Addiction - Awareness and Prevention' was held on September 5th, 2023, for the students of grades 11 and 12 at IES auditorium. This initiative was organized by the Department of Psychology under the aegis of Mr. N.K. Ramachandran Menon, Chairman of Bhavans Middle East.
The event commenced with a warm welcome by the Principal of IES, Mr. T. Premkumar, a stalwart in guiding students through their personal and academic growth. Mr. Premkumar underscored the importance of drug addiction awareness, especially for students pursuing higher education in regions where this issue is prevalent. He shared his own experiences counselling students grappling with drug addiction, highlighting their successful journeys toward recovery through medication and therapy. Notably, the informative session also saw the attendance of students from SIS, accompanied by the Vice Principal of SIS, Ms. Albin Daisy."
The guest speaker, Mr. Samuel Koshy, a parent of the school, brought a wealth of expertise to the event. He has been serving as an Associate Teaching Assistant in the Faculty of Pharmacy at Kuwait University since 2008 and is also the assistant editor of the Kuwait Pharmacy Bulletin, a quarterly publication by Kuwait University. Mr. Koshy's credentials extend to several research and review articles focused on pharmacy practice and education, along with authoring the 'Pharmacotherapy Digest' book in 2023, which employs mind maps to enhance learning in pharmacotherapy.
Mr. Samuel Koshy initiated the presentation with an in-depth explanation of terms such as drug misuse, drug abuse, drug addiction, and substance use disorder. He emphasized the misuse of medication, the continuation of drug use despite its detrimental effects, resorting to unethical means to obtain drugs, and the experience of withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit. The pernicious impact of drug addiction on physical health, mental well-being, and social relationships was vividly depicted through visuals, thought-provoking questions, and various case studies involving well-known figures. Mr. Koshy supplemented his presentation with research papers that convincingly elucidated the health hazards and consequences of addiction. He also delineated the adverse effects of nicotine dependency and addiction to vaping, employing brain scan images to underscore these points.
Detailed treatment and prevention methods were discussed, including engagement in productive activities, establishing clear boundaries, assertively refusing harmful substances, and prioritizing one's overall well-being. A video presentation shared by the guest speaker further solidified the information in the students' minds, equipping them to make informed choices.
In his concluding remarks, Principal, Mr. T. Premkumar, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Samuel Koshy for his engaging session, which shed light on various facets of drug abuse and prevention. He also cited the tragic example of the Nepalese royal massacre, attributing it to drug misuse. The Senior Vice President of IES Student Council, Ms. Fida Ancy, and the Minister of Education, Ms. Nakshatra Neerja Binu, presented a beautiful work of art to the guest speaker as a token of appreciation. Subsequently, the school counsellor, Ms. Preethi K Nair, conveyed her gratitude on behalf of the Bhavans fraternity. She thanked Mr. Samuel Koshy for dedicating his time and effort to educate the student community on this critical issue, raising awareness about drug addiction, and providing numerous resources to support students in maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life.
