Nemcha notes importance of quality drug rehab centres
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, November 19 2022:
Textiles, Commerce & Industries minister Nemcha Kipgen on Saturday inaugurated Penial Care Centre, a drug and alcohol de-addiction centre, at Keithelmanbi-Military Colony near SDO Champhai office in Champhai Sub Division of Kangpokpi district.
As the chief guest, minister Nemcha inaugurated the rehabilitation centre by unveiling the centre's plaque in the presence of Social Welfare minister H Dingo Singh and Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing, who were present as functional president and guest of honour respectively.
Pastor Thangminlal Haokip of KBC Gambih No 5 dedicated the centre after the formal inauguration.
Expressing concern over the alarming rise in drug abuse and liquor consumption among the youth, Pachon Kipgen, a military pensioner, and his wife Hoinu Kipgen established the Penial Care Centre with their 32 years of savings.
Addressing the gathering, Nemcha Kipgen said that reliable rehab centres are designed to help drug users and addicts salvage their lives by offering various services including treatment and counselling, while adding that a good de-addiction and rehabilitation centre is required to help drugs addicts overcome dependency on addictive substances and live a normal life.
The minister also emphasised on the need for employment of highly qualified counsellors and medical doctors to help drug abusers break their destructive habits while at the centre.
Nemcha Kipgen commended Pachon Kipgen and his wife Hoinu for their tireless efforts and sacrifice in establishing the Penial Care Centre.
In the meantime, she urged the minister concerned to initiate all possible assistance for the welfare of the centre, being the first and only such centre in the district so far.
In his address, Social Welfare minister H Dingo Singh said that the state government and the Social Welfare Department are tirelessly imparting awareness, and he called for a collective effort and involvement of all to curb the drug menace in society.
"Let us not ill-treat those drug addicts/abusers rather we must show them the greatest love while making them aware about the adverse effects of drug abuse to bring them back to normal life", he added.
Meanwhile, Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing appreciated the founder of Penial Care Centre and, at the same time, asked all like-minded individuals and civil society organisations to render maximum cooperation and support to the centre.
The chairman and found -er of the Penial Care Centre said that after returning to his native place after retirement from the military, the alarming drugs menace in the society deeply disturbed him which led him to establish the centre with all the money he had saved during his 32 years of service.
Various prominent Kuki gospel artistes and choirs enthralled the crowd during the event.
Representatives of different civil society organisations of Kangpokpi district, SAHILCA, Kuki Inpi Kangpokpi, 22 Assam Rifles Kangpokpi Post commander, village chiefs and church leaders also attended the event.