Introduction
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently organized a transformative Drug and Substance Abuse Awareness Workshop in collaboration with DAV Public School, Uppal's Southend, Sector-49, Gurugram. The workshop aimed to equip educators with strategies to address the growing challenges of substance abuse among youth and foster collective action.
Workshop Overview
The workshop brought together over 150 principals from CBSE-affiliated schools across Delhi NCR, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The event provided a crucial platform to discuss the rising concern of substance abuse among youth and promote awareness and collective action.
Key Speakers and Topics
The workshop featured a distinguished panel of experts, including:
- Ajay Kumar (IAS), Deputy Commissioner of Gurugram: Emphasized the importance of early intervention in combating substance abuse and called for a collective effort involving schools, parents, law enforcement, and community organizations.
- Dr. Anees Cheekunath, IRS, Deputy Director, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Delhi: Discussed the role of law enforcement in curbing drug use and provided practical measures for schools to adopt vigilance.
- Pankhuri Kumar, SP, Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau, Gurugram: Shared strategies for identifying early signs of substance abuse and emphasized the need for close collaboration between schools and the wider community.
- Prof. (Dr.) Arvind Kumar, Chairman of Chest Surgery, Robotic Chest Surgery & Lung Transplantation at Medanta – The Medicity: Presented alarming data on the health consequences of substance abuse, particularly the impact of E-cigarettes on the respiratory health of youth under 18.
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Shanti Krishnamurthy and Satish Kumar from Chinmaya International Residential School, Coimbatore: Stressed the importance of fostering open dialogue about substance abuse within schools and society.
Interactive Sessions and Q&A
The workshop included in-depth sessions on practical strategies for identifying and addressing substance abuse, followed by interactive Q&A sessions. Participants discussed preventive measures, health education, and the importance of community engagement in tackling this pressing issue.
Conclusion and Pledge
The event concluded with a collective pledge by all participants to create drug-free school environments, signifying a major step toward empowering educators to address substance abuse effectively. This workshop marks a significant milestone in CBSE's continued efforts to nurture a healthier, safer, and more informed generation.
