Mantak crowned with first model drug free village tag
Kakching village sets benchmark
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 26 2011: The All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) has claimed that Mantak village, Kakching has become the first model drug free village in Manipur.

Significantly the declaration has come on the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Under the strict vigil and sustained anti-intoxicants campaign launched by the Mantak Village Authority since 1992, there is not a single family who brew liquor or any one who consume liquor or other intoxicating substances in the whole village.

Even the shops have stopped selling cigarettes, bidis, khainis, talabs etc, said a press release issued by AMADA.

It further announced that the annual excellence award "The Marvel/Athouba" for 2011 would be given to Mantak Village Authority.

However, since the fag end of 20th century, the menace of drug abuse have been eating into the vitals of Manipuri society.

A large number of youngsters who should be future pillars of the society have fallen victims to heroin No 4, liquor, khaini, tablets and other intoxicating substances.

Mantak village being honoured in acknowledgement for being a drug free village

In addition, a number of people have been enduring the brunt of HIV/AIDS.

Again, many kids are being delivered with HIV.

It is also on record that many young kids have been murdered mercilessly by drug addicts just to snatch the trifling gold ear-rings.

Taking into account the ever worsening social conditions of the State because of massive drug abuse and the ever deepening crisis resulting thereof, the necessity to set up an organisation exclusively to check drug abuse was felt.

Subsequently, the All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) was set up on December 20, 2005 .

Proclaiming Mantak as a model drug free village, AMADA appealed to all the people to make each and every locality a drug free zone.

Meanwhile staging rallies and organising deliberation programmes marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observance organised at different parts of the State today.

The main function was organised by Department of Social Welfare in association with FNGODP, Manipur Chapter, AMADA, CADA and USER Manipur under the theme, 'Think health, not drugs' at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.

As part of the observance, a rally spreading the message of the bad effects of drug abuse and trafficking was taken on the streets of the State capital starting from Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.

The rally was flagged off by Social Welfare Minister N Loken in the morning.

Later in the main function, Manipur State Social Welfare Advisory Board Chairman RK Noyonsana and Social Welfare Commissioner Letkhogin Haokip graced the occasion as chief guest and president respectively.

Social Welfare Director G Satyabati Devi, Social Welfare Under Secretary L Ibobi and Social Welfare Joint Director K Sanajaoba were also present in the function as guests of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, RK Noyonsana said, illegal drugs are being easily trafficked to the State through the porous Indo-Myanmar border.

Expressing concern that the rate of drug abuse is increasing among school children, the Chairman stressed on the need to keep an aye on the behaviour of the children by school authorities and guardians.

Maintaining that even many influential people are minting money through drug trafficking in the State, she called on the NGOs and State Government authorities to fight together against the menace.

Echoing the same view, Social Welfare Commissioner Letkhogin Haokip observed that Government agencies and NGOs like AMADA and CADA alone would not be able to control drug abuse and trafficking.

People's involvement in fighting the menace is a must, he added.

The Commissioner further noted that it is high time to check why the prevalence rate of drug abuse is increasing even after the Government has put lots of money to control it.

So Government, NGOs, teachers, parents, guardians and people as a whole must take the initiative together to check drug abuse and trafficking.

Social Welfare Director G Satyabati while speaking at the occasion said that 90 percent of the crimes in Manipur relate directly or indirectly to drug abuse and alcoholism.

She also mentioned about the role of women especially mothers in checking drug abuse.

In this regard, she added, Social Welfare Department has been organising vocational training programmes for adolescent and school/college drop-out girls on family management and family support.

The Director further informed the gathering that the department would conduct training programmes for civil bodies on checking of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Observance at Thoubal: The day was also observed at Fancier Abhiram Higher Secondary School, Thoubal.

Y Lakhsman, District Youth Co-ordinator Thoubal while speaking at the function said, ."The youth clubs has a big role to play in the society" .

He also cautioned the youths to keep away from the dangerous and dependence producing drugs which are already declared harmful to body, mind and society at large.

Observance at Jiribam : Child Welfare Ashram, Jiribam observed International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at Echel Club, reports our Correspondent.

The programme organised under the theme, 'Life has no rewinds' was sponsored by District Youth Affairs and Sports office, Jiribam.