Monday, 2 February 2026

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CH 4 - AWARENESS REGARDING DRUG ABUSE

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CHAPTER 4: AWARENESS REGARDING DRUG ABUSE

Note for the Student-Teacher:
As primary school teachers, you are the first line of defense in protecting children from substance abuse. While your students (ages 6–11) may not yet face direct exposure, they are forming attitudes and behaviors that will influence future choices. This chapter will equip you to understand substance abuse, recognize warning signs, and create a protective school environment that builds resilience in children.

4.1 UNDERSTANDING DRUGS AND DRUG ABUSE

4.1.1 What is a Drug?

Definition (WHO):
A drug is any substance that, when taken into the body, alters one or more of its functions.

In Simple Terms:
Drugs are chemical substances that change how our body or mind works. Some drugs are medicines (like antibiotics, fever pills) that heal when used correctly under medical guidance. Others are harmful substances (like heroin, tobacco) that damage health when misused.

Examples for Classroom Understanding:

  • Medicine: Paracetamol for fever (taken in correct dose, prescribed).
  • Harmful Drug: Smoking cigarettes or taking pills for "fun" without medical need.

4.1.2 Key Terms

1. Drug Abuse:
Using drugs without medical need, in wrong amounts or ways, that harms health, relationships, and daily functioning.

Example: A student taking someone else's prescription pills to "feel high" or "stay awake."

2. Drug Addiction:
When a person becomes physically and mentally dependent on a drug—needs it regularly, increases doses, and suffers withdrawal symptoms without it.

Example: A person who cannot start the day without smoking, or feels sick without it.

4.2 WHY SHOULD PRIMARY TEACHERS BE CONCERNED?

  1. Early Attitudes Form Early: Children observe family/community behaviors toward tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
  2. Gateway Behaviors Start Young: Chewing tobacco (gutka), sniffing glue, or sipping alcohol may begin in late childhood.
  3. You Are a Role Model: Your behavior and words influence them.
  4. Prevention is Easier Than Cure: Building self-esteem, decision-making skills, and saying "NO" early creates lifelong protection.

4.3 COMMONLY ABUSED SUBSTANCES & THEIR EFFECTS

4.3.1 Tobacco/Nicotine (Smoking & Chewing)

Forms: Cigarettes, bidi, gutka, pan masala, hookah, khaini.

Why People Start:

  • Peer pressure ("All my friends do it")
  • Imitating adults/parents
  • Curiosity, looking "cool" or "grown-up"
  • Stress relief (wrong belief)
  • Easy availability near schools

Effects on Health (Tell children in simple terms):

  • Bad breath, yellow teeth – unattractive smile
  • Cough, asthma – can't play kabaddi or run properly
  • Weak lungs – get tired quickly
  • Wastes money – instead of buying books or treats
  • Can cause cancer – of mouth, lungs, throat
  • Harms others – through second-hand smoke (family, friends breathe poisoned air)

Teacher’s Role:

  • Show pictures of healthy vs. smoker's lungs.
  • Teach refusal skills: "No thanks, I'm an athlete" or "I care for my health."
  • Celebrate "No Tobacco Day" (May 31) with posters, pledges.

4.3.2 Alcohol

Forms: Beer, wine, whiskey, vodka, desi liquor (tharra).

Why People Start:

  • Social gatherings, celebrations
  • Coping with stress, sadness
  • Family habits (seeing parents drink)
  • Media glamorization (movies, ads)

Effects (Explain to older children simply):

  • Bad decisions – drunk people fight, embarrass themselves
  • Accidents – falls, burns, road accidents
  • Hurts family – spends money on alcohol instead of food/education
  • Liver damage – stomach pain, yellow eyes (jaundice)
  • Addiction – can't stop even when wanting to

Classroom Activity:
Role-play – refusing a drink at a wedding. Teach: "I'll have juice instead."

4.3.3 Drugs (Narcotics & Others)

Common Drugs in Punjab Context:

  1. Cannabis (Bhang, Charas, Ganja): Often used during festivals (Holi); can lead to stronger drugs.
  2. Heroin/Smack: Highly addictive, injected; spreads HIV through shared needles.
  3. Prescription Pills: Sleeping pills, painkillers misused.
  4. Inhalants: Glue, petrol sniffing (especially among street children).

Effects on a Person:

  • Loss of interest in studies, hobbies
  • Mood swings – angry, then sad
  • Poor memory, concentration
  • Stealing money to buy drugs
  • Health ruin – weight loss, infections, death

4.4 HOW TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE (FOR TEACHERS)

Behavioral Signs in School-Age Children:

  1. Sudden drop in grades
  2. Skipping school, lying
  3. Changing friends (older, suspicious group)
  4. Red eyes, smell of tobacco/alcohol
  5. Loss of appetite, weight change
  6. Money or items missing from class
  7. Aggressive or overly quiet behavior
  8. Neglected uniform, personal hygiene

Note: These signs could also indicate other problems (stress, bullying). Do not jump to conclusions but observe carefully and talk privately.

4.5 PREVENTION: WHAT CAN TEACHERS DO?

4.5.1 Build Protective Factors in Students

  1. Self-Esteem: Praise efforts, display work, assign responsibilities.
  2. Coping Skills: Teach deep breathing, talking about feelings.
  3. Decision Making: Discuss "what-if" scenarios (e.g., "If someone offers you a cigarette...").
  4. Healthy Friendships: Group activities that promote teamwork.
  5. Goal Setting: "When I grow up, I want to be..." charts.

4.5.2 Classroom Strategies

For Grades 1–3:

  • Storytelling: "The boy who said NO"
  • Puppet shows about healthy choices
  • Coloring "healthy habits" charts

For Grades 4–5:

  • Debates: "Is smoking cool?"
  • Poster making: "My drug-free promise"
  • Guest talk: Police officer/doctor explaining dangers
  • Science lesson: Effects of smoking on lungs (simple diagrams)

4.5.3 School-Level Actions

  1. Policy: Clear no-tobacco, no-drugs policy.
  2. Environment: No tobacco shops near school; clean, positive campus.
  3. Monitoring: Watch for bullying/peer pressure.
  4. Parent Involvement: Workshops on monitoring children, open communication.

4.5.4 If You Suspect a Problem

  1. Talk privately – show concern, not accusation.
  2. Listen – "I've noticed you seem tired lately. Want to talk?"
  3. Inform school counselor/principal.
  4. Contact parents carefully – focus on child's well-being.
  5. Never punish publicly – it increases shame and hiding.

4.6 ADDRESSING COMMON MYTHS (FOR OLDER CHILDREN)

Myth 1: "Smoking helps with stress."
Fact: It creates more stress—addiction, health worries, expense.

Myth 2: "Drinking makes you brave/confident."
Fact: Alcohol reduces judgment; real confidence comes from skills and self-respect.

Myth 3: "Everyone does it."
Fact: In Punjab, many youth choose sports, studies, arts over substances.

Myth 4: "Chewing gutka is harmless."
Fact: It causes mouth cancer, stains teeth, and is addictive.

4.7 RESOURCES & SUPPORT

In Punjab:

  • Drug De-addiction Centers (Government & NGOs)
  • Helplines: Childline (1098), Police helpline
  • School Counseling Services (if available)

Role of Teacher: Keep a list of local resources; know where to refer a family in need.

EXERCISE – Suggested Answers

1. What do you mean by Drug? Discuss their bad effects on the body.

Introduction:
A drug is any chemical substance that alters the physical or mental functioning of the body when consumed. While some drugs are medicinal, this question refers to psychoactive substances abused for non-medical purposes.

Definition & Meaning:
According to WHO, a drug is any substance that, when taken into the living organism, may modify one or more of its functions. In the context of abuse, drugs refer to substances like tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, heroin, etc., consumed to experience intoxication, pleasure, or escape from reality.

Bad Effects on the Body:

A. Physical Effects:

  1. Brain Damage: Impairs memory, concentration, decision-making.
  2. Heart & Lungs: Smoking causes lung cancer, heart attacks; alcohol weakens heart muscle.
  3. Liver & Kidneys: Alcohol and drugs destroy liver cells (cirrhosis) and kidney function.
  4. Weakened Immunity: More infections, slow healing.
  5. Appearance: Skin problems, bad breath, yellow teeth, weight loss/gain.

B. Mental/Emotional Effects:

  1. Addiction: Loss of control, compulsive need for the substance.
  2. Mental Illness: Depression, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis.
  3. Personality Change: Aggression, irritability, apathy.

C. Social Effects:

  1. Family Problems: Conflicts, financial strain, neglect.
  2. Education/Employment Loss: Poor performance, absenteeism, dropout.
  3. Crime: Theft, violence, illegal activities to fund addiction.
  4. Accidents: Under influence, causing harm to self/others.

Conclusion:
Drug abuse devastates every aspect of life—physical, mental, social, and economic. For children, even indirect exposure (via family) affects safety and development, making teacher awareness crucial for early intervention and prevention education.

2. What are the bad effects of Alcohol? Write in detail.

Introduction:
Alcohol, though socially accepted in many circles, is a depressant drug with wide-ranging harmful effects when consumed excessively or regularly.

Bad Effects of Alcohol:

A. Physical Health Effects:

  1. Liver Damage: Fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis (scarring), liver failure.
  2. Heart Disease: High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, cardiomyopathy (stretched heart muscle).
  3. Digestive Problems: Gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis.
  4. Cancer: Mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, breast cancer.
  5. Brain Damage: Shrinks brain tissue, memory loss, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
  6. Weakened Immunity: Susceptibility to tuberculosis, pneumonia.

B. Mental & Behavioral Effects:

  1. Addiction (Alcoholism): Inability to control drinking despite negative consequences.
  2. Mental Disorders: Depression, anxiety, increased suicide risk.
  3. Impaired Judgment: Risky behaviors (unprotected sex, violence, accidents).
  4. Blackouts: Memory gaps during drinking episodes.

C. Social & Economic Effects:

  1. Family Breakdown: Domestic violence, marital conflict, child neglect/abuse.
  2. Financial Loss: Spending on alcohol instead of basic needs, education.
  3. Work/School: Poor performance, absenteeism, job loss, dropout.
  4. Social Harm: Drunk driving accidents, public disorder, crime.

D. Effects on Children in Alcoholic Families:

  1. Emotional Trauma: Fear, insecurity, shame.
  2. Role Reversal: Child becomes caretaker.
  3. Poor Academic Performance: Lack of support, stress.
  4. Increased Risk: Becoming alcoholics themselves.

Conclusion:
Alcohol's harm extends far beyond the drinker, damaging families and communities. In Punjab, where alcohol consumption is prevalent, teachers must educate children about its risks and promote healthy coping mechanisms and alternatives.

3. What are the bad effects of Smoking?

Introduction:
Smoking, primarily through cigarettes, bidis, or hookah, and tobacco use via chewing (gutka, pan masala) are among the leading preventable causes of death and disease worldwide.

Bad Effects of Smoking:

A. Health Effects on the Smoker:

  1. Cancer: Lung, mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, cervix.
  2. Lung Diseases: Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma.
  3. Heart & Circulation: Coronary heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, peripheral artery disease (poor blood flow to limbs).
  4. Reproductive Harm: Infertility, impotence, pregnancy complications (miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight).
  5. Other Organs: Stomach ulcers, tooth loss, gum disease, vision loss (cataracts, macular degeneration).
  6. Weakened Body: Reduced immunity, slower healing, osteoporosis.

B. Immediate Effects (Noticeable Early):

  1. Bad breath, yellow teeth, stained fingers.
  2. Chronic cough, shortness of breath.
  3. Reduced fitness, fatigue.
  4. Poor sense of taste and smell.

C. Effects on Others (Second-hand & Third-hand Smoke):

  1. Family Members: Increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease.
  2. Children: More ear infections, asthma attacks, respiratory infections, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
  3. Pregnant Women: Harm to fetus.
  4. Third-hand Smoke: Residue on clothes/furniture harms infants who crawl and touch surfaces.

D. Social & Economic Effects:

  1. Financial Drain: Money spent on tobacco instead of food, education.
  2. Social Isolation: Smell, health concerns limit social interaction.
  3. Work/School: Decreased productivity, increased sick days.
  4. Fire Hazards: Cigarettes cause house fires.

E. Specific to Smokeless Tobacco (Gutka, Pan Masala):

  1. Oral cancer, leukoplakia (white mouth patches).
  2. Tooth decay, gum recession.
  3. Addiction to nicotine.

Conclusion:
Smoking and tobacco use offer no benefits—only addiction and disease. For teachers in Punjab, where tobacco use is culturally embedded in forms like hookah and gutka, educating children from a young age about its dangers is a critical public health responsibility. Empowering students to refuse their first puff can save a life.

 

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