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Film Television Institute Of India ( FTII) may be the India’s first educational institute that has appointed psychiatrists to treat students ailments related to addiction. The number of students and staff affected with addiction was so high that governing council of FTII had to take note of it in the meeting. In October 2012 governing council resolved to deal matters related to drug consumption and drinking alcohol, seriously. However instead of dealing with it seriously institute appointed two psychiatrists in August 2013 to provide consultation to students and staff struggling with emotional and behavioral problems

There is no secret now that many FTII students consume drugs openly without any restrictions. Rampant drug use has caused a lot of problem in recent years here. Many of them in recent years have sought psychiatric intervention for drug induced depression. It is very difficult to guess that when the first incidences of drinking alcohol & drug consuming actually were detected. However it is clear from the available proof that this “legacy” is being followed since long.

Photo Courtsey picsant.com

If filmmaker, former FTII graduate and faculty Uday Shankar Pani is to be believed, when he was in theinstitute, he had attended a class of a big filmmaker who would place a liquorbottle on the table and then begin his class. Pani agreed to that mindset as a student and made an adjustment. He later felt that even if the filmmaker was sitting there in a drunken state, he was delivering some great lessons in filmmaking. Later on Pani became faculty of FTII.

Photo Courtsey thehindu.com

It appears that as time passed the things became so worst that the Governing Council of FTII had to take serious note of drinking and drug consumption. Additional agenda Item on 124th governing council was ‘discipline in campuses’. The meeting resolved that ‘drinking alcohol, taking up drugs and any unbecoming behavior in campus and public places has to be stopped; also very strong action will be taken against those staff or students for breach of rules and law in the campus’ . Noted screenwriter and director Saeed Mirza presided over this meeting and was attended by Dr. Kiran Seth, Ms. Rama Vij, Aseem Sinha, then Director of institute Dr. Narain and present director Prashant Pathrabe was special invitee.

The resolution though does not elaborate much but definitely throws light on what exact situation was in the institute. Actually it was moral and legal responsibility of all those bigwigs and authorities who attended this meeting to convey this situation to the police. However nobody felt it necessary because it would have caused damage to institutes stature. Though strong action was warned it was just eyewash. The only thing then director did was that he appointed two psychiatrists.

Photo Courtsey druglibrary.org

Actually FTII has on its panel two doctors for student’s minor ailments. In such case the Medical Officer diagnoses and treats illness injuries as far as possible. In serious case/cases ordinarily requiring treatment for longer than four days he has to refer the cases to other appropriate Institutions, specialists, Municipal Dispensaries or Government Hospitals for outdoor and other treatment.

The advertisement published in August 2013 by FTII to appoint psychiatrists says “The Institute wants to engage Psychiatrists (one male and one female) on contract on urgent basis. The duties of Psychiatrist would be to spread awareness, provide counselling for the students and staff struggling with emotional and behavioral problems. They have to support student's emotional and behavioral health, give treatment including counselling and medication.”

Photo Courtsey 1.bp.blogspot.com/

This may be the India’s first educational institute that has appointed psychiatrists to treat students ailments related to addiction. Big question is why FTII on its own appointed psychiatrists to treat students? Why didn’t they refer students to other public or private hospitals? Why did they hide this information from police? .Was it more important to protect institutes dignity than addressing countries’ most serious problem like drug addiction.The students are not allowed to do private job while they are learning , then who provides them money purchase drugs and alcohol. They consume drug means they are in contact with drug peddlers and this chain can lead to any type of serious crime. Were these bigwigs waiting for serious crime to happen? .The bigwigs who headed this institute and the authorities now have to answer these questions.

The Government is now having rounds of talks with student on so-called issues faced by this would be “center of excellence’. However none of them i.e the students or their supporters have addiction subject on their addenda. No authority has ever informed government about this issue. At least now FTII administration has to make clear whether any of the students and staff who are involved in talks with government is consulting with FTII appointed psychiatrist or not.

Saturday, October 10, 2015

FTII , Students and staff struggling with drug induced problems, appoints psychiatrist

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