The Dread That Haunts Mothers, Especially - Drug Addiction | III

Seeing children getting addicted is a very agonizing or very distressful experience no doubt, but sometimes mothers being responsible for it makes it difficult. Jaya Ji recounted some such cases. In some cases of addiction, WASE members found that some mothers themselves are alcoholics and there is no one to control their children at home. There is a small number of mothers who themselves are drug addicts, the worst case is some mothers themselves are drug peddlers. It is the only source of income, the drug is easily available at home and it easily spoils children. Of course, such mothers too do not want their children to be addicted, but they no longer have the moral right to talk about the problem. In a very pitiable situation, it becomes a difficult task to deal with such children.

Many readers send their observations, one who is the principal of a renowned school stated a fact that addiction or experiments with alcohol or going to the extent of drugs is described to be cool. Those who put restrictions on their children are portrayed as orthodox or unnecessarily perceived as lacking flexibility, and not modern in their outlook. Thus they are to an extent forced to remain silent, and usually, there is peer pressure too.

The core connection between modernity and addiction is to be challenged. We need to return to our Sanatan roots and values. A few things which seem to be established and accepted now were introduced during our phase of a few centuries when first we were under the rule of foreign invaders followed by the British. Everything indigenous is treated to be inferior,even the Sanatan value system is ridiculed, parents also sometimes find it impossible to talk about it.

The teacher suggests that we need to embrace the same old value system to save our institution of family. Space for every Individual is to be given, freedom certainly is to be given, one learns through mistakes, but it should not be at the cost of harming oneself. Parents need to intervene and should alert the child, but sometimes it is observed that even parents do not label their habit of alcohol as an addiction. Children move a step ahead. They try to rationalise their behaviour in the name of the pressure of work or social drinking or the fear of being left out.

A reader, who is a mother of a young child and a teacher, found such addictions are sometimes treated as status symbols. Children should have freedom, but it has to come with responsibility. She stated it certainly is the duty of parents to talk about these rights from the formative years. We cannot hover over the children all the time,but they can be made strong and we can help them to make choices rationally and defend them too.

One reader who held a very responsible role in a very big company found the situation very shameful,( used a harsh expression no doubt but it comes out of extreme anxiety ) as he wrote even after so many years of independence we are, where we were decades ago. He felt strong actions should have been taken against the people involved in such rackets.

It is noticed by a reader who is a professor is a professional college that the cases he came accross, mostly had a disturbed family background, he wondered whether this is one of the strongest reasons. His observation is that addiction is in a way a trend as there are many trends in the fashion world. Many belonged to the class, where money was abundant, so it was not a problem and besides that, the parents could manage the situation if something went awry. They probably had political clout or their money and status worked.

A lecturer from a renowned institution said, he always tries to take an opportunity to talk to students and invariably appeals to them to keep away from any of the addictions and not even try such adventures once.

The other lecturer also studied the problem and found the number of women in drug addiction is increasing at a surprising speed, and the number of women seeking rehabilitation is also on the increase. Of course, a stigma attached to it and the fear of being discriminated against seem to prevent many from seeking support or help. There is a fear of being judged.

Those with limited access to education and employment are vulnerable on one hand and those who enjoy both too fall prey to the addiction, it is noted. Their reasons are different, but the result is the same self-destruction.
Most of these points are raised by those who are genuinely concerned, their observations are based on their experience, nonetheless, they certainly are found supported by studies. There is hardly anyone who does not share the anxiety or apprehension.

Many who did not pen down their anxiety, probably would agree with the above observations as they too come across such cases often.

Many can play a significant role in dealing with the issue of drug addiction. Teachers' fraternity can be at the forefront, parents also need to be observant, have to be aware of the changes in the behaviour of their children. Even friends can try to help. All need to have a little training to get a clear idea, so all can help in their way to deal with the problem.

More about this aspect in the next write-up.