Kaka-Ba Hospital organises de-addiction awareness programme

Ahmedabad, 26^th November 2023: It is estimated that there are around 10 crore substance addicts in the country. According to a report by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, there are 31 million cannabis users, 24 million opioid users and 7.7 million others using inhalers. The consumption of narcotics has seen a 70% rise in the past decade, and according to estimates by the UN, 13% of drug abuse victims in the country are below the age of 20. The Gujarat  Narcotics control authorities have seized drugs, such as heroin, charas, opium, cannabis and methamphetamine, worth Rs 6,201 crore from different parts of the state in last two years.

The widespread substance abuse among the adolescent population is attributed to poor socioeconomic conditions like unemployment, violence and sexual abuse.

Kaka-Ba Hospital, the CSR arm of Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, one of the largest privately-held legacy pharmaceutical companies in the country, realises  the grave concerns for rural  and semi urban populations, organised a de-addiction awareness session in association with the Brahma Kumaris, the spiritual organisation.  Both  the organisations collaborated to address the problem in their own capacity at the micro level with aim to address the issue with the help of spirituality.

More than 600 students from various schools in Hansot taluka of Bharuch district, including LC Sheth High School, JH Sheth High School, and Yogi Vidya Mandir, participated in an awareness rally as a part of the event. The students also performed a play to showcase the adverse effects of various addictions on health and well-being. Dr Damini Mehta from Bharamakumaris graced the occasion. A large number of local community leaders and members supported the initiative with their august presence.

Speaking about the session, Dr. Bharat Champaneria, Superintendent of Kaka-Ba Hospital, said, “We are seeing a large number of youths getting addicted to one or the other substance, which not only impacts their health and the well-being of their families but also has the potential of leading to crimes. The programme was organised to raise awareness about the adverse effects of addictions and to encourage people to give them up. We are happy with the response to the programme and are committed to organising and supporting similar programmes in the broader public interest.”

Kaka-Ba Hospital and Brahmakumaris plan to conduct similar programmes at regular intervals at schools and places in remote areas.