The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Lucknow): In a concerning development, Lucknow’s students, pressured by the high expectations of exam season, are increasingly resorting to dangerous anti-sleep pills to stay awake and study. This alarming trend was highlighted by the case of Prajakta Swarup, a Class 10 student who recently underwent major brain surgery due to complications arising from excessive pill consumption and caffeine intake.
Prajakta’s parents were unaware of her use of these pills, discovered only after she collapsed and was hospitalized. Neurosurgeons, like Dr. Sharad Srivastava, are alarmed by this growing trend, with these drugs often being smuggled in from countries like Bangkok. Known by names such as ‘chuniya’ and ‘meethi’, these are variants of Modafinil, a drug designed to enhance memory, mood, alertness, and cognitive powers, allowing users to remain awake for over 40 hours.
Surinder Kohli, a local chemist, confirms the spike in sales of such pills, alongside energy drinks, over the past month. The legality of these over-the-counter sales, however, remains questionable.
Modafinil, also known as Provigil, is typically used to treat disorders like narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder. Interestingly, a senior police official revealed that these drugs are also being used by terrorists to stay awake during combat.
Psychiatrists like Dr. R.K. Saxena attribute this distressing trend to the immense stress and peer pressure faced by students. The pressure to achieve near-perfect scores for college admissions is intense, often leading to unrealistic expectations and stress. Dr. Saxena points out the lack of parental guidance, especially in families where both parents work, leaving children vulnerable to peer influence.
Prajakta’s parents now recognize the intense pressure she faced, driven by her desire to join her friends in a prestigious Delhi college. Teachers, like retired educator Pushpa D’Souza, blame both parents and students for not maintaining a consistent study pattern throughout the year. On the other hand, students like Suniti, Prajakta’s classmate, feel cornered by parental expectations and peer comparisons, leading to such drastic measures.
This situation reflects a deeper societal issue where the emphasis on high academic achievement often overshadows the well-being of students, pushing them towards harmful coping mechanisms. The need for more attentive parental involvement and realistic academic expectations is more crucial than ever to prevent such dangerous practices.