YOUTH ROLE IN COMBATING DRUG MENACE EMPHASISED

PANJIM - Senior Advisor on Substance Abuse Policy, USA,
Beverly Davis, addressed address the students of St Xavier's College
on "Substance Abuse" as a special guest recently.

Beverly Davis provided a very elaborate view on substance abuse and
enlightened the gathering on recent research conducted by the center,
along with statistics, in a very illustrative way, and revealed that
only a very small percentage of young Americans do not take drugs. She
highlighted that India today stands where America was many years ago
and emphasized the role of youngsters in combating this menace. She
further delved into the consequences of drug abuse such as
absenteeism, crime rate, accident rate and so on.

Davis drew the attention of the audience to the genetic predisposition
to addiction which makes it all the more imperative that youngsters
stay away from drugs and alcohol.

She particularly stressed that alcohol consumption before the age of
21 years impairs the growth of brain cells and also that alcohol
consumption during pregnancy can lead to foetal alcohol syndrome in
the neonate, and could also be one of the causes of ADHD (Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

The talk was followed by an interactive session wherein various
queries from the members of the audience were satisfactorily dealt
with.

The session ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Shradha Deshpande.
Lorraine Pereira compered the function.

In his welcome address, the Principal, Professor Newman Fernandes
voiced his concern on drug abuse and its impact on youngsters.

Ajmal Palakal of the American Center, Mumbai, introduced the guest
speaker.