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RIYADH — “Parents and family members are the first to detect behavioral deviation and substance abuse in children in the very beginning. If they detect it earlier, it will be easy to correct the child before the kid gets addicted to hazardous substances. Generally negligence or lack of awareness in parents leads to detection of such problems at a very late stage when treatment and recovery become difficult,” said Indian Ambassador Ahmad Javed at a function here recently.
The event was to release the RISA training of trainer (TOT) module arranged by the International Indian School, Riyadh (IISR) and the Riyadh Initiative against Substance Abuse (RISA) health club under the aegis of Subair Kunju Foundation.
“Children usually get the habituated to tobacco, drug or alcohol use by peer pressure. Each and every student should abstain from these bad habits and if any one among them is being pressured, then he/she should say ‘do not, do not, do not’,” he added.
He also congratulated the students who presented a mime with the theme of substance abuse. They were trained by Salim Chaliyam, Arabic teacher of IISR, and opined that such programs are more effective to fight the drug menace.
VIP guest speaker, Dr. Nizar Al Salih, the CEO of NEBRAS division of the National Committee for Narcotics Control (NCNC), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, explained the activities of NEBRAS and revealed that more than 1,000 persons have given training in the recent period to spread the message of hazards of substance abuse. He expressed satisfaction on the activities of RISA and assured continuing guidance and willingness to allow RISA to join programs in Arabic teaching institutions as well.
RISA convener and managing trusty of Subair Kunju Foundation, Dr. Abdul Azeez , in his introductory speech, pointed out that in the past four years, the team has conducted more than 65 programs in the Kingdom in different settings like schools, polyclinics, hospitals, labor camps, shopping malls, community gatherings etc. “Our target is to train ten thousand persons including selected teachers and students in the Kingdom in a phased manner,” he said while highlighting the vision of team RISA.
The program consultant Dr. Bharathan explained the nitty-gritty of RISA’s TOT program. Dr. Naseem Akhthar Qureshi, the senior psychiatrist and counselor, spoke on various hazards of substance abuse. A signature campaign organized in association with the Gulf Madhyamam, the official media partner of RISA, was first signed by the ambassador followed by the second secretary of the Indian Embassy Hifzur Rahman, the principal, vice principals, managing committee members, invited guests, RISA team members, teachers, and students.
The prizes for the first three scorers of the quiz competition, conducted based on a poster exhibition arranged on the event day, were given to Abshar Ahmad, Lukman and Shaik Abdul Hasan by the ambassador. Hamza recited verses from the Holy Qur’an. Principal Dr. Shaukat Perwez welcomed the guests and Rashid Khan, the marketing manager of Gulf Madhyamam delivered the vote of thanks. Vice Principal Meera Rahman conducted the event.
A team of headmasters, headmistresses and teachers, second vice principal Tauheed, RISA central team members including Dr. Thampi, Dr. Joshi, Georgekutty Makkulath, Yousaf Kodinji, Abdul Nazar, Abdul Rasheed, Rafeek Panniyankara, Shinto Mohan, Sanoop, zonal leaders Shameer Yusaf, Linad, Norka roots consultant Shihab Kottukad, Air India Manager Kundan Lal, Zainul Abid, Ibrahim Subahan, Dr. Ashraf Ali, Tony Joseph (Joy Alukkas), Azeez Amine, Sorail Gafud, Suhail Siddiqe (Virigin mobile), Mutthu (Sahari uniforms), Mirshad (BnB group) Shajilal and Shinu (media) and other invited guests were among those present. — SG
