03 March 2024 – United We Care, a deep-tech startup in Hyderabad, has unveiled an AI-powered chatbot tool to identify and address substance abuse among teenagers in Telangana. The initiative was showcased during the “Initiatives for Drug-Free Hyderabad” event, signaling a collaborative effort to combat the rising menace of drug abuse among the youth.
About United We Care:
United We Care, a Hyderabad-based startup, spearheads the development of the AI-driven parental screening tool. The company is committed to leveraging technology to address societal challenges, with a particular focus on combating substance abuse among teenagers.
Chatbot Solution for Substance Abuse Detection:
The chatbot tool requires parents and teachers to respond to a set of 39 questions across 13 different domains related to their teenager’s behavioral patterns. These domains encompass physical, emotional, cognitive psychomotor changes, social withdrawal, academic performance, and more. Based on the responses, guardians can connect with police officials and mental health experts through the platform for immediate intervention.
United We Care emphasizes the robust protection of data, with encryption measures in place to safeguard children’s information. The data will be governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDT) Act of 2023, ensuring accessibility only to parents. The startup has collaborated with Dr. Samir Parikh, from Fortis National Mental Health Program, Fortis Healthcare, to develop the platform.
The tool addresses challenges in early identification of addiction signs, timely clinical management, self-intervention, and relapse management. Workshops will be conducted for teachers, who will then train parents in utilizing the questionnaire. The multilingual chatbot, available in 29 languages, including Telugu, is poised to make a significant impact on combating substance abuse among teenagers in Telangana.
Conclusion:
The introduction of an AI-driven chatbot tool to identify substance abuse among teenagers is a significant step toward addressing the critical issue of drug abuse in Telangana. The collaborative efforts of United We Care, law enforcement, and mental health experts reflect a proactive approach to safeguarding the well-being of the youth. As this innovative solution is implemented, it holds the potential to serve as a model for other regions grappling with similar challenges.
