DC flags concern on menace of drug abuse in Kamjong
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, October 14 2024: Continuing the efforts to create extensive awareness about the menace of drug abuse, Kamjong district administration and office of the District Social Welfare Department jointly organised a one-day training for master volunteers under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan at Nagaram community hall, Imphal East,' on Monday.

Speaking at the event, Kamjong DC Rangnamei Rang Peter expressed concern over the rising trend of substance abuse amongst the younger generation, particularly the adolescents and youth.

"Even the number of female drug users continues to rise with dangerous consequences which affect the families as well as the society," he alerted.

Noting that Kamjong being a border area is vulnerable to certain issues related to drug abuse, the DC stressed on the responsibility of everyone in the district in creating awareness about the ill-effects of substance abuse by discouraging its use.

He then urged everyone, especially the youth, to stay away from drugs.

Acknowledging the role played by the local youth and student bodies in the fight against drug abuse, Peter encouraged the young volunteers to bring forth the anti-drug campaign as a lifelong mission and continue to take an active role in the initiative to curb the drug menace in the society.

Kamjong additional SP Okram Wangkhomba, while explaining in detail about the different types of substance abuse such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, opioid, inhalants, etc., dwelled on the challenges faced by the police in curbing supply and trafficking of drugs.

He said that buying over the counter medicines' without the prescription of a medical officer is also considered a type of substance abuse.

In his address, IRCA Kamjong project director Ksh Jayenta explained addiction as an illness and not a crime, and urged the parents to identify behavioural change in their children so as to prevent them from drug abuse.

Kamjong CMO PS Leishiwon also shared her experience in dealing with the changing trend of drug abuse in Kamjong district over the last few decades, while district's social welfare officer A Tamphasana Devi highlighted the aims and objectives of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the plans to conduct awareness generation programmes in the district with the support of the medical and police department.

The training programme, attended by around 50 volunteers along with DLOs, was conducted by secretary of New Lifeline Foundation Dr L Pishak Singh as the resource person.

Participation certificates were also handed over to the volunteers after the training.

Comment