AMCO takes anti-drug, poppy plantation vow
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 15 2023:
The churches and Christian communities of the state at large, under the aegis of All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) on Friday, collectively resolved to fight against drugs menace and poppy cultivation in the state.
In a release, AMCO president reverend L Simon Raomai conveyed appreciation to the Union and state governments for their relentless efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs in Manipur.
The declaration of 'War on Drugs' and 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan' are indeed remarkable steps.
Besides, the initiative of the state government, the vital role played by various NGOs, CSOs, agencies, churches, villages chiefs, individuals and other frontal organisations both at the local and state levels are worthy of appreciation and AMCO acknowledges their yeomen and selfless contributions to this end, it added.
AMCO declared that the churches under it have made a collective pledge to extend support to the government of Manipur, organisations, churches and individuals who are relentlessly working for the eradication of abuse of psychotropic substances and poppy cultivation in the state.
The churches with all their resources and capabilities, will persistently work for the eradication of abuse of psychotropic substances and poppy cultivation in the state and discourage receiving revenue from such sources, it maintained, while reaffirming that they will in collaboration with all stakeholders, will unstintingly address drug abuse and work at the grassroots level without any prejudice in the larger interest for an enduring future.
AMCO also appealed to all those individuals involved in the nefarious activity/trade to refrain from further indulgence in order to save precious human lives and the degrading eco-system as well for our common survival, urged poppy cultivators to stop the practice in the larger interest of humanity and environment, and requested the central and state governments to formulate a comprehensive/concrete socio-economic policy in the line of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) based on rationality, sustainability, inclusivity, and free from prejudice for a progressive and harmonious society/state free from abuse of psychotropic substances.