Shillong, July 23: Experts at a workshop on drug abuse deliberated on the increasing vulnerability of youth to substance addiction — especially between the ages of 15 and 25, a period often spent within the school and college system.
The event, organised as part of the RNDM Teachers’ Gathering cum Workshop by the Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission, carried the theme “Empowering Educators for Holistic Student Development.” It brought together teachers from various institutions for a day of dialogue, capacity-building, and reflection on their evolving role in student well-being.
A key session of the workshop focused on the early signs of drug abuse, equipping educators with tools to identify behavioural red flags such as sudden inattentiveness, mood swings, aggression, withdrawal, or delinquency — symptoms that often go unnoticed until addiction takes hold.
Speaking at the event, former IPS officer and BJP leader Mariahom Kharkrang emphasised the importance of parental vigilance and a prompt response. “The most vulnerable age is indeed 15 to 25 years,” he said. “Many times, parents realise the issue only after addiction has fully set in, making de-addiction extremely challenging. Recognising the early symptoms and acting swiftly can make all the difference.”
Kharkrang emphasised that both educators and parents must collaborate to create a preventive environment around students. With children spending a large portion of their time in schools, he noted, teachers are uniquely positioned to serve as the first line of defence.
The session was part of a broader effort to empower teachers not just as academic instructors, but also as frontline responders to the social and emotional challenges students face today — from substance abuse to mental health.
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