My Journey to Recovery: A Message to All

I secured 93% in my 10th class and joined a new, bigger school for 11th class. I was excited to be a part of this new environment. Initially, everything went well. I had two friends from my old school and made many new ones.

One day, some friends invited me to come behind the school building. They told me to keep whatever I saw a secret. Then, they took out cigarettes from their socks and lit them. But the smell was different from regular cigarettes. When I asked, they said, "Arree bachai, tu doodh pee, yeh mardon ka cigarette hai." Their reply made me feel small and inferior. To prove my manliness, I asked for a puff.

The first time I inhaled the cigarette, I felt like I would throw up, but I pretended nothing was wrong. As days passed, I continued to join them and started enjoying the feeling. I soon realized it was charas. After a few puffs, I felt elated and as if I was floating in the clouds. My friends then asked me to contribute money for the charas. Eventually, they introduced me to sniffing powder, promising it was another level of satisfaction. I brought it home and used it in my room, feeling myself getting hooked.

Next, they convinced me that IV drugs were the best. Desperate to fund this new habit, I stole a gold bangle from my mother. My friends assured me they could sell it directly to the drug seller, and that they had connections in the gold market. This was just the beginning of my descent into theft. I stole money and gold, and borrowed from others. My room became my only solace. My midterm marks came down to 67%.

Once my family discovered my addiction, they were devastated. Instead of showing empathy, they said, "Yi kus tawan piyovoi, agar kahan bouzi" (What the hell has happened to you, nobody should come to know about it).

Instead of talking to me, my father beat me. I was locked in my room to keep my addiction a secret. Deprived of drugs, I experienced the worst pain and started breaking the door. My cries alerted the neighbors, and my parents had to admit the truth. I was taken to the hospital, where I received counseling and medication during my remission phase.

Recovery was challenging, but Alhamdulillah, I have been drug-free for two years. I want to tell everyone that drugs are a sweet poison that devastates you. The temporary elation is a false hope, and the excruciating withdrawal symptoms are hell.

I urge:

1. Schools to be vigilant about students who might be inclined towards smoking and drugs.
2. Schools to conduct awareness classes and counseling sessions on resisting peer pressure.
3. Strict laws to prevent drug trafficking.
4. Authorities to close loopholes where stolen gold is sold.
5. Parents show kindness and empathy towards children at risk of drug addiction.
6. More hospital facilities and a greater focus on psychological counseling.

My advice to all: drug addiction will devastate you. Stay away from it, and report to your school or parents if your friends pressure you into trying it.

BY B Ziyar