State observes Intl Day Against Drug Abuse
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 26 2018: Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that a collective effort is needed to curb drug menace in the State and called upon all to take a collective pledge to save the future generation from drug abuse and build a drug free society.

He was speaking at the observation of "International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2018" and launching of "Nisha Thadoklasi" campaign held at JNIMS auditorium, Imphal East today.

Speaking as chief guest, the Chief Minister said that the Government is drafting a State Drug Policy and it is almost at its final stage.

Any suggestions, advices and opinions are very much welcome, he added.

"Since day 1 of the present Government, we are working towards curbing drug menace in the State.

The Government has already initiated a State wide campaign on war against drugs", Biren said.

He maintained that the present Government is committed to work for the welfare of the people and the State.

Mentioning some of the major achievements of the present Government in the war against drugs, the Chief Minister said that around 1853 acres of poppy plantation amounting to Rs 130 crore were destroyed in the last one year.

Altogether 222 cases relating to drugs and other illegal psychotropic substance were registered, 264 persons were arrested, he added.

10 kgs of heroin, 1645 kgs of ganja, 78 kgs of opium, 22 kgs of opium seeds, 6 kgs of brown sugar, 5900 nos of N 10 tablets, 8,86,880 nos of WY tablets etc.

were seized.

Such achievements were made possible with the love and support of the people.

"No one had intervened such big business which can cripple our society during the time of the past Governments.

There would be no way forward for the future generation if we don't act at this hour.

The Government will not spare any anti-social people regardless of their connection with any political party", Biren swore.

The Chief Minister stated that due to the drug and alcohol abuse, the approximate number of widows in the State is about 15,000.In a survey conducted in 2017, there are a total of 36,000 drug abuse victims wherein around 26,000 are abusing drugs by injection and other 10,000 by oral consumption.

The Police Department has also started 'Community Policing' initiative to root out the drug menace from the State.

Like Fast Track Court (FTC) for crimes against women, a FTC has been set up for the cases related to drugs and other illegal substance in the State.

Stressing on the "Nisha Thadoklasi" initiative, the Chief Minister said that such initiative would create awareness among students and masses for creating a drug free society.

Under the initiative, 80 schools would be identified which would be created as "drug free campus'.

Senior students and teachers would be given training to create counselling centres at the respective schools for drug abuse prevention, he added.

'Nisha Thadoklasi' would also include public awareness campaigns, drive against drug peddlers/illegal substances, rehabilitation and advocacy.

The Chief Minister stressed "We should support and rehabilitate such drug abuse victims to bring them back into mainstream".

In her presidential address, Minister for Social Welfare Nemcha Kipgen said that large number of teenagers have fallen victims to drug abuse in the State.

She also elaborated on some causes of becoming a drug addict.

She mentioned that there are around 20 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for addicts in the State wherein they provide composite/integrated services for rehabilitation of the substance dependent persons.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the present Government aims to root out the drug menace from the State, she added.

Speaking as guest of honour, Minister for Health and Family Welfare L Jayantakumar Singh said, "We have a collective responsibility towards making a drug free society".

He mentioned that sectors such as Health, Education, Social Welfare etc.

should co-operate and co-ordinate to create awareness and rehabilitate drug abuse victims.

Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Vumlunmang Vualnam, Director JNIMS Dr Th Bhimo Singh, officials of Social Welfare Department, staff of JNIMS and students of various schools attended the observation.

It may be mentioned that the observance was organised by Department of Social Welfare in association with Federation of Indian NGO's for Drug Abuse Prevention (FINGODAP) and Coalition Against Drugs and Alcohol (CADA) .

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