38. Reading Skills Comprehension: INTERNATIONAL DAY

INTERNATIONAL DAY

  Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. June 26th is being observed as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. I wonder if this day is merely one for the service providers to gear themselves up and conduct a bunch of awareness and advocacy programmers among the general public. This day could be a time to review our commitment to be empathetic to those dependent on alcohol and other drugs. It could also be a warning bell to all those struggling with drugs; a time for quick self-evaluation. Besides, it could be seen as a gesture of the government to combat this menace by releasing some money to run a poster exhibition or a rally or a public meeting. Something to show that it is in the fight against the evil as well, after making good revenue through liquor sales. This could be an eye-opener to parents on what their college-going children are exposed to now. As wide and diverse as the culture of India, so wide are the options of drugs available. They consist of stimulants (uppers), depressants (downers), cannabis, opioids and opiates, solvents and inhalants, hallucinogens and other psychedelic drugs and the more recent threats like roofies and ketamine. The long-term effects of these drugs are dangerous and fatal.

2. A drug welcoming/friendly/tolerant trend is permeating our culture today. We need to be warned that social use does not apply to illicit drugs. These drugs have a very high addictive potential. We’re talking about chemical substances that change not only the function and structure of the body but also one’s thinking, feelings, perception and behaviour. These changes occur due to the drug’s action on the brain. A youngster begins with experimenting with alcohol and nicotine considered ‘gateway drugs.’ In the beginning, the consumption is within socially accepted or prescribed limits. For example, drinking some wine at a party. Slowly, one starts to misuse drugs, meaning unintentional or inappropriate use of prescribed or non-prescribed drugs. For instance, driving under the influence of alcohol or taking one sleeping pill over and above the prescribed dose. Eventually, one starts to abuse drugs wherein one deliberately uses chemical substances for reasons other than their intended medical purposes, resulting in serious physical, mental, emotional or social impairment. There are thin lines dividing drug use, misuse and abuse.

3. We need to be accountable as a society. Now, if we are to talk about illicit drugs, there are suppliers, middlemen and traffickers because there is a huge demand.

4. The geographical location of India between the golden crescent and the golden triangle makes our country a pathway for drug trafficking through the borders. Governments can play a role hereby framing laws and insist on law enforcement, whether it be on trafficking in illicit drugs or minimum drinking age or server liability. A global problem like this calls for a collective effort.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage answer each of the questions given below with the help of options that follow:

(a) According to the writer, 26th of June is an important day as

(i) it is the day to be empathetic towards drug addicts

(ii) to warn those who are drug addicts

(iii) create awareness among the people especially parents about the drug menace

(iv) all of the above

(b) drug addiction is on the rise today because

(i) people are more tolerant and welcoming of drugs today

(ii) it is seen as a status symbol

(iii) it is used by most of the college going students

(iv) none of the above

(c) drug abuse means

(i) the deliberate use of drugs for purposes other than medicinal

(ii) causing serious mental impairment due to the intake of drugs

(iii) drinking and smoking

(iv) unintentional or inappropriate use of drugs

(d) drug addiction starts with

(i) driving under the influence of alcohol

(ii) consuming sleeping pills along with alcohol

(iii) drinking wine at parties

(iv) consuming medicines without medical reasons

Answer the following questions briefly in your own words:

(e) Why is it important to create an awareness about the drug menace among parents?

(f) What does the writer mean by calling drugs ‘uppers’ and ‘downers’?

(g) How do drugs affect the brain?

(h) What are ‘gateway drugs’?

(0 In what way does the location of our country make it a haven for drug dealers?

(j) In what way is society responsible for the rise in the number of drug addicts in our country?

(k) Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following:

 (i) mind/mood altering drugs (para 1)

 (ii) illegal (para 4)

ANSWERS:-

(a) (iv);            (b) (i);

(c) (i);              (d) (iii)

 (e) So that they become aware of the range and extent of drug exposure of college-going

children.

(f) Uppers act as stimulants, while downers are depressant drugs.

 (g) They act on the brain to affect a person’s thinking, feelings, perception and behaviour.

(h) Gateway drugs like nicotine and alcohol, which are easily available and may lead to experimentation with other drugs.

(i) India is located between the golden triangle and golden crescent. It is used as a pathway between the two regions for cross-border trafficking.

 (j) Society has become very drug-tolerant and open to using drugs and alcohol. This social use of drugs can lead to addiction.

(k) (i) Hallucinogens;               (ii) Illicit

Download the above Passage in PDF Worksheet (Printable)

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