In a remarkable turnaround, an 18-year-old drug addict who tried to kill his family member at the age of 15 has found a new purpose in life, thanks to the efforts of a de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in Cuttack, Odisha. The youth, who had dropped out of school after Class VIII, has now cleared his Class X examination, scoring an impressive 380 out of 600 marks.
The Journey from Addiction to Education
The teenager, who was adopted as an infant by a woman from Mayurbhanj district, became hooked on drugs after moving to an Odia-medium school. He recounted his descent into addiction, stating, "In Class V, my mother transferred me from an English-medium school to an Odia-medium school. I came in contact with boys who taught me to drink liquor, smoke ganja, and do drugs." This led him to drop out of school in 2020.
To fund his drug habit, he and his friends resorted to pickpocketing and stealing. The situation escalated in 2023 when he demanded money from his mother to buy drugs. His brother opposed the request, and under the influence of drugs, he attacked his brother, attempting to kill him. "My mother saved him," the youth added, reflecting on the incident.
Intervention and Rehabilitation
With the help of police, he was brought to the rehabilitation centre in Cuttack, where Narottam Das, the director, took charge of his care. Das explained the process: "He did a bridge course to resume his studies from Class VIII. We admitted him to a school in Choudwar. Now he has cleared his matric exam." The centre provided a structured environment and educational support, enabling the youth to focus on his studies.
Aspiring for a Brighter Future
Now clean and determined, the youth has set ambitious goals. "He aspires to pursue higher education in engineering and hopes to become a skilled video editor in the future," Das shared. This story highlights the transformative power of rehabilitation and education in turning lives around.
The youth's achievement is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the rehabilitation centre and his own resolve. It serves as an inspiring example for others struggling with addiction, showing that change is possible with the right support.
