Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 06:
Drug Substitution Therapy can successfully bring back an erstwhile drug abuser to the mainstream society, said one former drug abuser.
Even as he could not give his MA exam earlier, he is now doing research work in social Philosophy, after he underwent Drug Substitution Therapy (DST).
During an interaction function of former drug abusers currently under treatment under DST programme and under the aegis of AMUCO, AMADA, Salai Apunba and Nupi Lamjing Lup, the erstwhile drug abuser recalled of his inability to give even his MA exam when he was under the grip of drugs.
"After a gap of many years and after I enrolled in the DST programme, I was able to appear in MA exam and came out successful", he said while giving the credit for his new life to DST programme.
During the interaction function organised by the Manipur Network of Positive People at MDU Hall, many spoke about Drug Substitution Therapy, people perception and reactions of patients undergoing DST.
Speaking on the occasion, Doren Laishram of AMUCO stressed on the importance of people's and support in persuading drug abusers undergo treatment so that they can brought back in the right path.
Bobo of AMADA highlighted the necessity of improving the physical, mental and spiritual health of drug abusers in the process to enable them give up their vicious habits.
To a query as to how can a drug abuser avail the benefits of DST, counsellor of the programme Bikram said that it was essential to first ascertain how far the drug abuser is determined to give up drugs.
To undergo treatment under DST, permission would be sought from the family of the drug abuser.
Then the family members would be explained what is meant by drug addiction and on how to treat such a person, Bikram informed.