Drug abuse abetting different social crimes: HC CJ
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIO
CCpur, September 03 2022:
A one-day workshop on 'multi-faceted dimension in fighting drug menace' was held on Saturday at District Training Centre (DTC) Hall, Tuibong here.
High Court of Manipur judge justice MV Muralidaran, who is also Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) executive chairman, and High Court of Manipur registrar general Gaiphulsillu Golmei were the chief guest and guest of honour respectively of the inauguration event.
The workshop was organised by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Churachandpur in association with the Churachandpur District Bar Association under the sponsorship of Manipur State Legal Services Authority.
In his address, Justice MV Muralidaran lamented that due to drug abuse problem, society is not only susceptible to other forms of crimes such as sexual abuse, child and women trafficking, domestic violence, etc., but also exposed widely to the issues of HIV infection, social stigmatisation and victimisation.
Convergence of the activities of the various stakeholders at appropriate stages, be it awareness, consultations, workshops, treatment measures, advocacy, study and research, capacity building, etc., as a coordinated mechanism is the need of the hour, he added.
The chief guest also informed that a comprehensive scheme -Legal Services to the victims of Drug Abuse and Eradication of Drug Menace (The NALSA) Scheme, 2015 has been formed for all district legal services authorities in the state.
The formation of Anti-Drug Club in schools and a working mechanism involving all stakeholders including the village level authorities, NGOs, and other legal service officials is one provision of the scheme which can be implemented in letter and spirit, e added.
Golmei Gaiphulshillu, in her speech, said that the government is implementing the Scheme of Assistance for the prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse with the stated objective to provide a whole range of services including awareness generation, identification, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts through de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.
She also informed that the scheme entails pro-active involvement of NGOs and CBOs in tackling the drug menace.
During the technical session, Churachandpur ADC Khaikhopau Ngaihte stressed the need for counselling services in every educational institution to fight drug menace in Churachandpur.
He stated that the district administration has been leaving no stone unturned in the fight against drugs.
Other speakers included IUCAW additional SP Hasby Haokip, District & Sessions judge Lamkhanpau Tonsing, chief judicial magistrate Sorokhaibam Sadananda, MASLSA member secretary Ojesh Mutum, Pherzawl DC Joseph Pauline Kamson, 27 AR colonel Ashish Mishra, Churachandpur CMO Kimngaihching Simte.
DLOs, members of Churachandpur District Bar Association and other judicial officers, officers from police and Assam Rifles, advocates and civil society organisation leaders also attended the workshop.