IMA Thoothukudi chapter to spread drug abuse awareness among student community

Written by Sanchari Chattopadhyay Published On 2023-02-01T16:45:22+05:30 | Updated On 1 Feb 2023 5:03 PM IST

IMA Thoothukudi chapter to spread drug abuse awareness among student community

Thoothukudi: The new team of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Thoothukudi chapter will take steps to create awareness about road accidents and drug addiction prevalent among the student community.

IMA Thoothukudi Branch New Office Bearers have recently been installed for the year 2023 at Thoothukudi. Dr. S. Marimathu has been elected as President, while Dr. S. Sivasailam and Dr. Aarathy Kannan have respectively taken over as the Secretary and the Treasurer.

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After taking charge, IMA district secretary Dr Sivasailam, who is also a psychiatrist, said the association will be arranging campaigns at the schools and colleges to prevent the loss of lives to road accidents and drug abuses. Commenting on the issue, he told Medical Dialogues, "In India, lots of young lives are lost due to two leading reasons; one is road accidents and the other is suicide or substance abuse as per the record of the National Cime Bureau. The adolescent period is very delicate. While driving teenagers, especially boys are not careful enough and many of them don't even know about the safety methods while driving two-wheelers or cars. They don't wear helmets and often ignore prevention measures. Hene, we have decided to take initiative to arrange campaigns in the schools and colleges of Thoothukudi to educate the children about the safety drills."

"While working as a psychiatrist, I have seen a lot of youngsters taking drugs or other kinds of intoxication. It may be because of peer pressure, curiosity, or any other reason. The instances of substance abuse are most prominent in the age group 13 to 19. Teenagers have started using alcohol, nicotine, and tobacco. Hence, we are thinking of creating awareness about the use of drugs and their side effects. I have also seen many cases where teenagers go down to take drastic measures and even take their lives. Hence, mental issues should also be health very carefully", he further added.

Dr Sivasailam has been connected to IMA since 2007 and he has also served as the President of IMA Thoothukudi in the past. He has been elected as the secretary unanimously for the second consecutive year. Recently, a new team of IMA Thoothukudi has been formed. The installation ceremony was presided by Dr. T. Senthil Pari, Tamilnadu State President, IMA. Dr. Arulrhaj, Past National President, IMA, Dr. K.M. Abul Hasan, State President-Elect, Dr. Thiraviyam Mohan, State Vice President, Dr. N.R.T.R. Thiagarajan, State Secretary and Dr. Alaga Venkatesan, State Treasurer were the guests of honor.

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Source : With Inputs

Sanchari Chattopadhyay

Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.