In 1987 the United General Assembly decided to observe 26th June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
On the eve of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) had reportedly called a meeting of stakeholders to prepare a joint action plan on prevention of substance abuse among children.
It is a fact that the problem of substance abuse among children is increasing and requires steps to be taken for prevention and treatment.
Drugs and alcohol addiction may not be the only problem among youngsters. According to reports submitted by the Kerala police department, ink-whitener inhalation addiction is the first step to drug addiction or alcoholism.
The whitener abuse problem has been compounded by its easy procurement, negligible cost and its lack of odour. The substance intoxicates and apparently the addicts experience a kick for five to eight hours, depending on the intensity and quantity of the inhalation.
The whitener which is used to erase print on paper does cause addiction in children who later on switch over to alcohol and hard drugs.
There is every possibility that school children coming from poor families in the villages in Goa could be addicted to the whitener. The concerned authorities in the state need to look into the matter and take corrective measures.
