AWARENESS TALK ON CHILD SAFETY AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
An informative and much-needed awareness session on Child Safety and Substance Abuse was organized for the students of Std. 5 and 6 on 31st August, 2026 at the Indoor Basketball Court in Fr. Oesch Hall. The session was conducted by Ms. Pooja Babar, Lady Police Constable from Damini Pathak – the special women safety squad of Pune Police. The objective of the talk was to sensitize young students about personal safety, responsible behaviour and the dangers of substance abuse.
Ms. Babar addressed the students in a very interactive and child-friendly manner. The key points covered during the talk were:
1. Child Safety:
– Understanding the concept of safe and unsafe touch
– Importance of saying ‘No’, shouting for help and reporting to a trusted adult
– Safety rules at home, school, public places and on the internet
– Introduction to Child Helpline No. 1098 and Damini Helpline No. 112
– Cyber safety – not sharing personal information, photos or passwords with strangers online
2. Substance Abuse:
– What is substance abuse and why children are vulnerable
– Harmful effects of tobacco, alcohol, gutkha and drugs on health, family and studies
– How to identify and resist peer pressure
– Importance of healthy habits, sports and good company
The students listened attentively and participated enthusiastically in the question-answer session that followed. Ms. Babar shared real-life examples and gave practical tips on how to stay alert and seek help from parents, teachers and the police without fear.The talk was highly enlightening and empowered the students with the knowledge to protect themselves and make right choices.
