Session notes substance abuse
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 11 2011:
Recent trend of consuming alcohol at religious occasions and rampant substance abuse by students came under the scanner at a day-long awareness campaign organised today by All Manipur Anti drugs Association (AMADA) at Zenith Academy, Sangaiprou.
District Hospital Bishnupur's Psychiatric Dr H Angomcha speaking at the occasion noted that consumption of tobacco products has disturbingly replaced tiffin meal during school/college breaks.
He also highlighted that 15-20 percent of the student population in the age group of 11-19 years in the State either consumes tobacco products or indulges in substance abuse.
While asserting that youngsters consume medicines used for diagnostic purposes as drugs to get high, Dr Angomcha also termed as unhealthy the recent trend of use of alcohol during religious functions, regardless of the occasion being celebration or mourning events.
Elaborating on the physical as well as psychological effect of substance abuse, he strongly advised all concerned, especially the younger generation to give up bad habit in order to promote a healthy society in Manipur.
Speaking as resource person on the topic concerning 'students prone to drug abuse and its remedy', Superintendent of Narcotics Control Bureau, Imphal RK Ibungosana suggested that rather than embrace health risk by consuming harmful items chomping nutritious fruits, and diversion of youthful energy in sports activities will bring long lasting benefit.
He also outrightly pointed out that parents and teachers have a vital role to play in moulding the future generation of Manipur for growing stage requires proper guidance.
It is informed that the Zenith Academy session is the 56th awareness campaign organised by AMADA, which according to its general secretary Ph Phoni Meetei is not only an organisation for controlling drug abuse and providing counselling to the users but a unit emphasising on multi-pronged approach to address various social ills.