Editors MITHUNRAJVEL M C XI - A RHYDHAMIKHAA S K IX - B THANYA K V IX - B
MAGAZINE Contents A student-created collection of awareness writing, stories, poems and artwork. 01 Voices of Awareness 02 Drug Abuse in India 03 Say No to Drugs 04 A Step Towards a Healthy Life 05 The Drug That Stole Tomorrow 06 The Wrong Turn 07 The Drugs Don’t Work 08 Congratulations! You’re Winning 09 A reflection on “Just Once” 10 Drug Awareness Poems 11 Hopeful Sun 12 The Dream That Ended in One Night 13 Say No to… Drugs! 14 A Seed of Hope AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 02
POETRY Voices of Awareness Short poems carrying a clear message of prevention. SAY NO TO DRUGS Life is a gift, so choose what’s right, Don’t let drugs steal your future bright. Be strong, chase dreams, and never fall, Believe in yourself — you can conquer all. Choose hope, health, and victory, Say no to drugs — choose to be free. — Vaishnav.N.M • XI-C DRUG AWARENESS POEM Say no to drugs today, Don’t lose your way. Choose what’s right, Shine so bright. Stay healthy, stay free, Be the best you can be. Dream big each day, Keep bad habits away. Live with pride, Let hope be your guide. — Kavinesh.M • X-B CHOOSE HOPE • CHOOSE HEALTH • CHOOSE YOUR FUTURE 03
STORY Drug Abuse in India Ram, Sam and their classmates discuss awareness with their teacher. Two friends in a class were involved in a conversation during the lunch break. They were speaking about foods that people in ancient India ate. Ram said that grains, pulses, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, spices, nuts and seeds helped people stay healthier and stronger. Sam replied that now people are eating more fast foods and packaged foods. He remembered news about drug use, especially among young people. Their classmates became curious and the whole class decided to discuss the issue with their teacher. Student artwork AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 04
STORY • CONTINUED Awareness, discussion and responsible choices. The teacher explained that some drugs are used as medicines, but they should be used only when properly prescribed. She also spoke about curiosity and the importance of discussing pressures openly. Students suggested awareness campaigns and educating younger children before they reach their teenage years. The teacher appreciated their ideas and encouraged responsible choices. MORAL • Dangerous substances should not be used without proper medical supervision. Student artwork AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 05 — Sokith Kumar • X-C
FEATURE ARTICLE SAY NO TO DRUGS Why prevention, supportive friendships and healthy choices matter. Drug addiction is one of the biggest challenges facing young people today. People may begin because of peer pressure, curiosity or stress, but a small experiment can become a harmful habit affecting health, education, relationships and future goals. Drug abuse can harm the body and mind, reduce concentration, affect memory and damage relationships. It can also affect families and society through accidents, crime and financial problems. The strongest protection is a healthy lifestyle: supportive friends, sports and cultural activities, trusted adults, and the confidence to resist pressure. STAY DRUG FREE • SAY YES TO HEALTH, HAPPINESS REAL FRIENDS NEVER FORCE SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING HARMFUL. — Abinanthana.K • XI-A AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 06
FEATURE ARTICLE A Step Towards a Healthy Life Education, communication and healthy activities are key parts of prevention. Drug abuse can affect physical and mental health, studies, relationships and future opportunities. Young people may be influenced by curiosity, peer pressure or stress. Prevention begins with awareness. Parents, teachers and friends can encourage healthy habits and open communication. Schools and health organisations can support awareness campaigns, counselling and rehabilitation programmes. A drug-free life is a healthy, happy and successful life. Student artwork: Stop Drugs TOGETHER, WE CAN SPREAD AWARENESS AND BUILD A SAFER FUTURE. AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 07 Santhosh D - XI B
POETRY The Drug That Stole Tomorrow A poem about protecting dreams and choosing a brighter day. I met a stranger at the edge of night, He carried a box with a future inside. He said, “Take this — your dreams will fly, You’ll touch the stars and never cry!” I opened the box… but what did I see? A broken tomorrow staring at me. My dreams were fading, my hopes were gone, And the stranger whispered, “You chose this path alone.” I threw the box into the sea, And watched my future come back to me. I found my courage and chose a brighter day. DON’T TRADE YOUR TOMORROW FOR A MOMENT TODAY. Team: Tamilini.M • XI-A | Bharani Shuruthi.A.R • XI-C | Dharunyaa.S.K.R • XI- A AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 08
SHORT STORY The Wrong Turn Karthick chooses courage and helps a younger student avoid a harmful situation. Karthick noticed a frightened boy sitting alone in a park. Two older boys approached and tried to give him a small packet. Karthick remembered his school’s drug- awareness programme and intervened. The boy explained that he was struggling with problems at home. Karthick told him that drugs do not solve problems and encouraged him to seek proper help. He took the boy to a police help centre, where the adults could support him safely. Karthick realised that courage is sometimes simply stopping another person from taking the wrong path. MORAL • Drugs promise happiness but can steal health, hope and the future. ONE CONVERSATION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. — Padmanettra.L • XI-C AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 09
POETRY + ART The Drugs Don’t Work Student expression through words and visual art. The dragon has scales Carved with loneliness that slides down your throat You will lose yourself amongst the iron and fumes Before you ever get high enough The drugs won’t work anymore. The clock is a work of fiction Your mind is not your friend Come back, your family shouts But the distance between who you are and what you could have been keeps growing. Student artwork AWARENESS CAN INTERRUPT THE CYCLE. AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 10
CREATIVE PROSE Congratulations! You’re Winning A sharp reflection on pressure, escape and the importance of asking for help. Aarav: Grade 12, pressure, expectations and the lure of “just once.” Nisha: repeated rejection and exhaustion made an escape seem attractive, but it also took away ambition. Ravi: workplace stress led him toward an escape that began to affect promises, memories and family life. Three people. Three ages. Three reasons. The same lesson: drugs are not a solution to pain or pressure. “CAN YOU HELP ME?” — ASKING FOR HELP IS A STRENGTH. — Swetha.M.J • XII-A AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 11
REFLECTION Recovery Is a Choice The source collection highlights professional help, small victories and supportive conversations. Aarav admitted he needed help. Nisha chose therapy instead of another escape. Ravi sought professional help and rebuilt his life. Recovery was not described as magical. It involved tears, apologies and small victories. The message is simple: before drugs become the only answer, ask someone a hard question — “Can you help me?” Student artwork ASKING FOR HELP IS A SIGN OF STRENGTH. AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 12
A REFLECTION “Just Once” — A Choice That Matters The magazine version focuses on the prevention message from the supplied piece. THE MESSAGE “It’s never just once — it’s the start of something you may not be able to stop.” The narrative follows a young person facing peer pressure and gradually losing control. Its turning point is a decision to say “No” and support another student who feels the same pressure. CHOOSE YOUR CIRCLE • CHOOSE YOUR VOICE • CHOOSE YOURSELF AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 13
POETRY Choose Life, Not Drugs Two student poems with one shared message: protect your future. Pills and powders claim to bring relief, But leave behind a trail of grief. They trap the mind, they steal the soul, And take away our self-control. Say no to addiction and yes to your health, Your mind and your future are your true wealth. — Santhosh .M.D • X-B A spark of hope lives in your heart, Don’t let dark choices tear it apart. Drugs may whisper, “Come this way,” But they steal your dreams day by day. They cloud your mind and dim your light, Turning mornings into endless nights. Stand together, hand in hand, Build a brighter, stronger land. — Varnika .G • XI-C REAL FRIENDS NEVER FORCE YOU TO DO SOMETHING HARMFUL. AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 14
POETRY Hopeful Sun The Choices Offered by the Reaper — a poem about choosing a brighter path. The Reaper waited by the railway track, A girl came home with pills inside her bag. She saw what her future could become, And chose the light instead. She threw the pills away that very night, And chose to walk a brighter, cleaner way. The Reaper left, his work undone; She faced the dawn, a new and hopeful sun. — Bharani Shuruthi.A CHOOSE THE LIGHT. CHOOSE A HEALTHY FUTURE. AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 15
ARTICLE WRITING The Dream That Ended in One Night A student article about basketball player Len Bias and the risks of drug use. Len Bias was a highly talented basketball player who had reached the University of Maryland and was selected by the Boston Celtics in 1986. During a celebration, he accepted cocaine. Within hours he collapsed and died at age 22. His death shocked the United States and became a powerful warning used in drug-awareness education. The article’s message is that talent, success and fame cannot protect anyone from the consequences of drug use. MORAL • DRUGS DO NOT DISCRIMINATE. THE STRONGEST CHOICE IS TO SAY “NO”. — Anusha Shettigar • XII-A AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 16
ARTICLE WRITING SAY NO TO… DRUGS! Prevention through knowledge, wise choices and supportive relationships. Drug abuse affects physical health, mental well-being and relationships. It can damage the brain, heart, lungs and other organs and can lead to addiction. Prevention begins with learning about the dangers of drugs, choosing friends wisely and spending time on healthy activities such as sports and reading. Young people can handle stress more safely by talking to family members, teachers or trusted friends. Schools and social organisations support awareness through seminars, rallies, posters and campaigns. Every individual can encourage positive choices and help create a safer, healthier and happier society. SAY NO TO DRUGS AND YES TO A HEALTHY, HAPPY LIFE! AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 17
ARTICLE WRITING AMRITA VIDYALAYAM • TIRUPPUR 16 A seed of hope in every hand, Can bloom into a brighter land. Not through smoke, nor poisoned lies, But dreams that help our spirits rise. Drugs may whisper, “Come with me,” But steal our hope and dignity. They break the trust, they dim the light, And turn the day into the night. Let courage be the voice we hear, Louder than temptation’s cheer. India’s future shines so bright, When every child chooses right. No chains of drugs, no fear, no pain— Only hope, only dreams to gain. A Seed of Hope ONLY HOPE • ONLY DREAMS TO GAIN