<p>Mangaluru: “Overcoming drug and substance addiction is a difficult journey. Students must always say ‘no’ to drugs,” said Beena, a former drug addict who now works as a counsellor helping others break free from addiction.</p><p>Sharing her personal story during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking event held at the Town Hall in Mangaluru, she said, “I was addicted for nearly 12 to 13 years. What started as casual use — just for fun and to enjoy freedom — eventually took complete control of my life.”</p><p>Beena, who is now eight months pregnant, said, “After graduating from college, I wanted to live independently, so I moved out of my house. I began my career in HR, earned well, and was gradually introduced to cigarettes, alcohol, ganja, and other substances. As my income increased, I became a multiple drug user. There came a time when drugs controlled me completely. The first thing I did every morning was drink alcohol. Under the influence of substances, I lost all emotional connections,” she recalled.</p>.Mangaluru colleges to battle drug abuse menace with awareness committees.<p>“I spent almost all of my earnings on drugs. When I realised I couldn’t overcome the addiction on my own, I thought of ending my life. I called my mother, who asked me to return home. When I stopped using drugs, my body went into shock. I experienced intense tremors and hallucinations and had to be admitted to a psychiatric ward for rehabilitation,” she said.</p><p>"My dream was always to achieve success in life. But I fell prey to substances. But I rose again. Addiction affects women too," she said. </p><p>Beena highlighted that society often stigmatises drug victims, making recovery even harder. “Families of addicts suffer just as much. My addiction destroyed both my career and personal life. But after recovering, I decided to help others and started the Born Again Recovery Centre (BARC) in Mangaluru.”</p><p>She urged students to stay focused on their dreams and never let their parents hang their heads in shame.</p>
<p>Mangaluru: “Overcoming drug and substance addiction is a difficult journey. Students must always say ‘no’ to drugs,” said Beena, a former drug addict who now works as a counsellor helping others break free from addiction.</p><p>Sharing her personal story during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking event held at the Town Hall in Mangaluru, she said, “I was addicted for nearly 12 to 13 years. What started as casual use — just for fun and to enjoy freedom — eventually took complete control of my life.”</p><p>Beena, who is now eight months pregnant, said, “After graduating from college, I wanted to live independently, so I moved out of my house. I began my career in HR, earned well, and was gradually introduced to cigarettes, alcohol, ganja, and other substances. As my income increased, I became a multiple drug user. There came a time when drugs controlled me completely. The first thing I did every morning was drink alcohol. Under the influence of substances, I lost all emotional connections,” she recalled.</p>.Mangaluru colleges to battle drug abuse menace with awareness committees.<p>“I spent almost all of my earnings on drugs. When I realised I couldn’t overcome the addiction on my own, I thought of ending my life. I called my mother, who asked me to return home. When I stopped using drugs, my body went into shock. I experienced intense tremors and hallucinations and had to be admitted to a psychiatric ward for rehabilitation,” she said.</p><p>"My dream was always to achieve success in life. But I fell prey to substances. But I rose again. Addiction affects women too," she said. </p><p>Beena highlighted that society often stigmatises drug victims, making recovery even harder. “Families of addicts suffer just as much. My addiction destroyed both my career and personal life. But after recovering, I decided to help others and started the Born Again Recovery Centre (BARC) in Mangaluru.”</p><p>She urged students to stay focused on their dreams and never let their parents hang their heads in shame.</p>