International day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking was commemorated at Pandiyan Nedunchezian Corporation Higher Secondary School here on Tuesday. The event was jointly organised by TRISHUL - Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts and HCL Foundation. Marking the occasion, the students were screened a short film that highlighted the perils of drug addiction and its effects on families.

During a discussion that followed, two boys — students of class IX and XI shared their life stories. While one narrated the ordeal meted out after losing his father to alcoholism, the other was in tears on how his father would not give up his drinking habit despite his repeated requests.

Later, the students were explained the perils of substance abuse and its impact on health, family and society at large. Addressing the gathering, founder and consultant psychiatrist of MS Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation Dr C Ramasubramanian urged the students to have an aim and to work towards it to achieve success. Also present during the occasion were Corporation Educational Officer Pon Vijaya, Associate Manager of HCL Foundation D Samuel Ebenezer, Director of Programme of MS Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation KSP Janardhan Babu and the headmaster of the school S Syed Purhon.