-Webinar Organised by The Kalgidhar Trust Baru Sahib to mark, International Day against Drug-Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Chandigarh /Punjab, June 27, 2020 - Setting a world record, 60,000 children studying in 130 schools of Akal Academies today participated in a webinar to mark International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
As the clock struck 11, 60,000 students across five states of north India (Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) logged in to participate in the webinar organized by The Kalgidhar Trust Baru Sahib on ‘Role of Children and Youth in making India Drug-Free’.
This is the highest global participation in a webinar, and has been noted as such in the ‘World Book of Records, UK’.
Renowned Psychiatrists and Counselors, Dr Col. Rajinder Singh (MD, DPM Psychiatry, Director- Akal Drug De-Addiction Centers, Baru Sahib and Sangrur), Dr N.L Gupta (PhD (Psychology), MPhil Senior Psychologist at Akal Drug De Addiction Center, Baru Sahib) were the key speakers at the event. They addressed the 60000 children and youth participants, and emphasized on the hazards of drug-addiction and illegal trafficking.
The webinar was for 45 minutes. It took place in real time on Youtube and Facebook Live.
Drug and alcohol abuse among students are significant barriers to the achievement of educational objectives. Dr Rajinder Singh stressed on the need of providing health education classes to students, including content on drug and alcohol abuse. Factual data about what substance abuse is; warning signs of addiction; information about how alcohol and specific drugs affect the mind and body; the consequences that addiction can have on one’s physical and mental health, information on how to deal with a family member or friend who is struggling with a substance use disorder were shared with students.
DR N. L Gupta said “Substance abuse education is important for children, teenagers, and adults .There are many misconceptions about commonly used legal and illegal substances. Ensuring that children are educated about drugs can help prevent them from using them, especially ones that are made to sound harmless, but are in reality very addictive or dangerous to the body. Helping adults understand the repercussions of drug use can prevent a problem from forming and can provide information they can share with their children to prevent future issues.