Kamjong to form committee on 'War on Drugs'
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, May 12 2022:
The public of Kamjong district have resolved to constitute a new committee to tackle the drug menace in support of the state government's ongoing 'War on Drugs' campaign.
Leaders of civil society organisations like Raizan Long (RL), Kamjong Shanao Long (KSL), Kamjong Katamnao Long (KKL), village authorities, and pastors and leaders of churches will be the primary members of the said committee.
The resolution for constituting the new committee was taken during a consultation on drug abuse held at Kamjong Baptist Church (KBC) in Kamjong district headquarters on May 10.Initiated by Ukhrul Town Baptist Churches Forum (UTBCF) in partnership with Baptist Churches of Kamjong district, the consultation primarily focused on formulating action plans to help out young addicts and to eradicate the unhealthy practice of drug abuse in the district.
The participants had a long deliberation on the rampant and increasing use of intoxicating drugs in Kamjong area and unanimously resolved to take active part in war on drugs declared by the state government.
The consultation came up with a two-way approach towards tackling the drug menace.
First, the priority is set on initiating detoxification and rehabilitation facilities for the people who have become addicted to drugs.
And the second task is to create public awareness on drug abuse, especially to all the parents and vulnerable children and adolescents in the district.
"This is the fourth such programme.
We have organised similar consultation at Ukhrul Mission Ground, Bumrei Baptist Church, Union Baptist Church, Ukhrul," said UTBCF chairman reverend Remember Rimai.
He further informed that the forum is planning to organise such consultation at Yainganpokpi, Kasom block headquarters, Kachai, Nongdam, Laikoiching and Awang Kasom areas where cases of drug abuse are said to be rampant and on the rise.
On behalf of the forum, reverend Rimai also appealed to all the stakeholders and individuals to take ownership of this humongous task in order to fulfil the objectives of the mission.
The consultation also deliberated on trading of drugs across the Myanmar border, and resolved to work out certain regulations and directives to be followed during festival, celebrations, sports meet and such gatherings, setting up of counselling centres by churches to help vulnerable youth and addicts to give moral, mental and spiritual support, organising camps, awareness programmes and seminars by various organisations and lastly the need to establish a regulation upon all villages in the area regarding restrictions against plantation of poppy and marijuana.
As many as 93 people including the presidents, executive members, leaders and colleagues of Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, Kamjong based CSOs, village headmen of the area, church pastors, women and youth leaders of Kamjong villages, and representatives from NGOs like FXB India Suraksha, and CARE attended the event.