Himachal Mother Leads by Example, Gives Drug-Addicted Son to Cops, 5.8 Grams of Chitta Recovered
Mandi, March 05: Mother love is not only related with nurturing her own child but to teach him how to follow the right track and make the distinction between right and wrong. Yashoda Devi, a mother from Balh Valley in Himachal Pradesh, recently set an example for the whole society in the act of responsibility and the upbringing of the child when she snatched the drug addicted son from her hand. This brave act that she performed was also heart-rending because she not only wrote an example to others in an effort to keep Balh Valley drug-free but also to ensure a better future for the son. In this way her courageous decision signified more than individual ambition; it also pointed to the vital need for communities to unite in the battle against drug use that is so threatening to the area youth.
“Mandi-based Yashoda Devi told the police that her 31-year-old son Dhameshwar became a drug addict. Despite the best efforts of counsel and determent, his addiction only deteriorated over the years. This was a moment of desperation for Yashoda and she found that all her efforts were in vain so she made the painful choice of making the authorities aware of this incident.
She went to the police and showed them that her son was getting worse, and the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) team immediately responded. During the search, the police also seized 5.8 grams of chitta (a type of heroin) hidden in the cupboard. Dhameshwar was arrested on the spot and a case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. There is currently an investigation taking place into the incident.
An Anguished Mother Speaks Out
Everyone went in deep thought of what Yashoda Devi said after her son’s arrest. She said these words with sadness that seemed to be a promise and a duty to know better. “My son wasn’t always a drug addict,” she said. He was a young man with a promising future, a great player. When selected by the Sai hostel, he would only participate in boxing and wrestling. He even competed in professional wrestling tournaments. We had high hopes for him. I knew he would land a job from his sport career as well as education when he graduated, and it didn’t happen.”
Yashoda said that when Dhameshwar started studying the stressover job grew in him. Then with no stable job and no security he fell victim to drug addiction. “We didn’t know when drugs took control over him. When we realized what was happening it was already too late. We did everything to make him quit, but it turned out to be an exercise in futility. We assisted him with love and caring, yet he refused to work.”
This went on for several years and with a heavy heart Yashoda realised the only way she could help her child was to contact the police. “I finally took the hardest decision of my life and told the policeman. Now, through the legal system and rehabilitation, I hope, my son can rid himself of this poison and live a better life,” said the woman, her voice trembling, yet determined.
A Cry for Jobs and Consciousness
Little did they know it was not a mere statement but a reflection of a potential reality: Yashoda had pointed out the problem, “The youth would be in the right direction, if there was work available for them. It is unemployment and financial insecurity that is driving our youth toward the murky depths of drugs. They have something to work for, something to work towards, something to look forward to, and these negative addictions don’t come so easy.”
Her remark speaks to a real issue many young people face both in Himachal Pradesh, and across India — unemployment. When jobs are scarce, this leaves many young people, particularly those from country backgrounds, hopeless and reliant on drugs to escape their problems. Yashoda’s message reminds us that employment itself can be preventative, and providing meaningful opportunities to young people like these can turn the tide on the growing addiction crisis.
Another Socially Responsible Courageous example
Yashoda Devi’s choice to take a stand against her son’s addiction, calling in the police, is one shining example of social responsibility. Instead of pretending that the issue did not exist, or sweeping it under the rug, she decided to get to work. Her bravery is a reminder that families have to draw a line when it comes to drug addiction, even if that means being unpopular. In a world in which many obfuscate the problem of addiction out of shame or fear, Yashoda has proven that the way back is open, but it starts with being honest and accountable.
Her act, at a time when a state like Himachal Pradesh is facing issues of increasing drug addiction, is a compelling lesson for the society. Growing drug abuse cases among the state’s youth is necessitating a need for more grassroots awareness and interventions. Families, schools and local authorities must come together to tackle this issue at its root.
A Broader Social Message
Yashoda Devi’s story also highlights systemic issues in society —drug addiction and the need for systemic change. Substance misuse is a widespread issue that impacts all the people involved along with their family and communities. It damages the social fabric, disrupts family life and undermines young people’s prospects. Though legal frameworks and law enforcement bodies play a crucial role in addressing such problems, creating a capability/niche to prevent it from happening in the first place and to rehabilitate and socialise the victims is significant.
It is a reminder that the battle against drug dependence is a task not just for authorities however rather for the entire area. There is a role for each family in the protection of their loved ones and communities must unite to tackle addiction in the open.
A Call to Action
There’s everyone else, like Yashoda Devi, wanting to do what is right but knowing it will cause raw personal pain, but it is the right thing; she tells the police about her son’s drug addiction. It’s a reminder that love and responsibility sometimes call for hard decisions. By doing so, she not only took a stand for her son’s future but also brought to the forefront the increasing drug menace in Himachal Pradesh. Four months ago, days after they lost their first child, Brant and Jesse were in a hospital in the same state — the one whose story reverberates across the nation, and one that is becoming a rallying cry for other families, local authorities and society as a whole to rally behind in the face of drug addiction. We must stand together to spread awareness and provide solutions to this problem if there is to be any hope for the eradication of drugs from our youth.
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