PALA: A sixteen-year-old girl from Pala visited her friend’s birthday party, elated to enter into the fete mode. But, little did she know about the predicament in store for her. The girl gulped down a few shots of alcohol and the news spread fast like wildfire among her neighbours and family. Learning about his daughter’s vice, the father of the 16-year-old girl took her to Vimukthi de-addiction centre in Pala.

"Sir, I drank yesterday for the first time in my life. My father has been an alcoholic for 22 years and still is. Shouldn't he be treated first?" the medical officer on duty was stunned hearing the girl’s confession. Taking note of the girl's confession, the doctors took away her name from the register and replaced it with her father.

The audience looked stunned when Dr K K Sreejith, the medical officer in Vimukthi Pala, told this anecdote as part of the one-day seminar held at the Vimukti Deaddiction Center of Pala General Hospital under the leadership of the Excise Liberation Mission yesterday.

The audience consisted of young people and students including girls who were once addicted to alcohol and drugs and got treatment and returned to normal life. Their parents also attended the event.

Pala municipality chairperson Josin Bino inaugurated the event. Vimukti Manager Kottayam Assistant Excise Commissioner Lalu P R administered the anti-drug pledge. Pala General Hospital RMO Dr M. Arun, Pala Excise Circle Inspector M K Prasad, Pala Vimukti Deaddiction Center Psychiatry Social Worker Asha Maria Paul and others attended the seminar.