Active lifestyle acts as an antidote to drug addiction, say doctors

Government Rajaji Hospital's Department of Psychiatry raises awareness on drug abuse prevention through seminars and rallies on International Day.

Department of Psychiatry of Government Rajaji Hospital conducted a meeting on ‘The Evidence is clear: Invest in Prevention,’ on the International Day Against Drug Abuse on Wednesday. 

Following a rally which was taken out from Madurai Medical College to spread awareness of the ill-effects of usage of various forms of drugs, a seminar was held.  

Speaking on the occasion, C. Dharmaraj, Dean, said, “Though it is apparent that the usage of drugs has become very prevalent in the recent days, it has been in use since human existence, but in different forms.” The sad thing about drug addiction is that the person alone will not get affected, but his whole family also will.  

V. Geethaanjali, HOD, Department of Psychiatry, said that while drugs were once identified as cigarettes, now many smokeless products have made its usage common. “When a student does drugs, it has serious implications on his social life. Rapid changes in behaviour due to repeated abuse of substances can even become life-threatening,” she added.  

With the usage of mobile phones on the increase, physical activities have come down. The reduction in physical activity has a direct impact on the youths’ lifestyle. As there is no discipline in their daily life, they think there is nothing wrong in smoking or doing drugs,” she said.  

Resident Medical Officer Saravanan said many lives have been lost in the recent Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. “Even many women have died. This shows that there is no more a gender gap in usage of alcohol and drugs,” he added.