Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 04:
Under the RAS/H-13 Project: Prevention of HIV among drug users in SAARC countries, a 15-day long detoxification camp organised as part of a contribution towards the various efforts being put up to contain the problem of drug abuse in the State concluded successfully at Chigonglei Makhong Development Club, Kakwa Pechu Lampak of Thongju Part-II in Imphal West district today.
Supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India and Galaxy Club as the partner of the H-13 Project, Manipur, the camp was organised jointly by Thongju Chigonglei Makhong Development Club, Thongju Chigonglei Makhong Meira Paibi Association, All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA), Rapid Intervention and Care (RIAC) Project under Manipur State AIDS Control Society, women Self Help Groups (SHGs) like Emoinu and Pari Imom Kanba Lup, Self Support Groups like You & I Network, Hospital and Institution Committee of IASC of Narcotic Anonymous and Peer volunteers.
The uniqueness of the programme was the greater involvement of the community stakeholders.
The lodging of the campers was done at the Chigonglei Makhong Development Club building and the meetings and input classes were done at the office buildings of AMADA Local Council and Chigonglei Makhong Meira Paibi Association, an association of women torch bearers working against anti-social activities.
The fooding of the campers have also been arranged solely by the local club while the monitoring and security of the campers have been taken up in roster system by community based organisations such as the local club, the Meira Paibis, women SHG members, recovering addicts and volunteers from local NGOs.
The recovering addicts working as Peer Volunteers from Self Support Groups such as You and I Network also regularly visited the camp and provided psychological support to motivate the campers.
As against the earlier target of treating just 15 clients for treatment, in all 17 campers/clients participated in the camp due to overwhelming referral from local bodies.
The concluding function of the camp was attended by local Meira Paibis leader Rajani, senior journalist A Mobi and local club president Rameshwor as president, chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Certificates and other mementos were also distributed among the participants during the function.
The camp was inaugurated on March 21 with local MLA Bijoy Koijam as chief guest.
AMADA Local Council advisor Peto Devi as functional president and local pradhan Thajamanbi, secretary of Human Resource Development, AMADA Bobo Meitei and SALAI secretary Ibethoi as guests of honour.
Galaxy Club is one of the four implementing NGO partners of the said H-13 project in Manipur, the other NGO partners being Kripa Foundation, SHALOM and Integrated Women and Children Development Centre (IWCDC).
The project area covers by Galaxy Club include whole of Singjamei and Langthabal in Imphal East district and some parts of Yaiskul, Thongju and Kairao in Imphal West district.