Ng Uttam speaks against forceful admission of drug users in de-addiction centres
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 07 2023:
The Department of Social Welfare kicked off a three-day capacity building programme for student teachers under State Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction at RK Sanatombi Devi College of Education, North AOC today.
Speaking on the occasion, Social Welfare Director Ngangom Uttam strongly reacted against reports about some drug users staying at relief camps being forced by certain individuals to be admitted in de-addiction centres they have connections with.
Instead of using force, the Social Welfare Director advocated for their treatment with understanding while adding that use of force usually does not bear positive results in their treatment.
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He urged people to think of drug addiction as a disease and to refrain from treating drug abusers as criminals and hiding family members who might have this affliction.
Highlighting the precarious position of Manipur in terms of drug abuse, he stated that some years ago, the State served as a transit route for drugs.
But in the last 5/10 years, the State has witnessed rampant deforestation, poppy cultivation, manufacturing of drugs and security forces busting many such mobile drug manufacturing units, he said.
Once a drug used by the rich and powerful when it was first introduced in the 1970s' and 80s' in Manipur, heroin no 4 is now freely and cheaply available and its abuse among the youth has become evident.
To address this deep seated and pressing issue, the Manipur State Policy on Psychoactive Substances 2019 was drafted by consulting the concerned stakeholders and finally implemented in 2020, he informed.
The Social Welfare Director also stressed on the importance of teachers and future teachers in schools and colleges to be aware of the drug problem and inclusion of this issue in the syllabus.
The event was also graced by Kh Ajit Singh, advisor, RK Sanatombi Devi College of Education; Thongram Asha, vice chairperson, Leirik Memorial Charitable Society and Dr A Jayantakumar Singh, Director, State Level Coordinating Agency as the presidium members.
During the technical session, Dr A Jayantakumar Singh delivered a speech on "Substance use prevention education".
Meanwhile, K Kishorechand, Project Co-ordinator cum Vocational Counsellor, Mangal Trust Centre and counsellor Gurumayum Bishwanath Sharma spoke about "Skill for drug education in school" and "Recognizing risks, being safe" respectively.