State observes anti-drug abuse, illicit trafficking day
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 26 2025: As elsewhere in the world, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed across the state on Thursday.

The Department of Social Welfare observed the day at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) auditorium, Palace Compound under the theme "The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention, Break the Cycle" .

The observance was attended by Education (S) secretary Naorem Praveen as chief guest and Social Welfare director Anna Arambam as president, while Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) chairperson Keisham Pradipkumar and RIMS Psychiatry Department former head Dr RK Lenin were the guests of honour.

State observes anti-drug abuse, illicit trafficking day

In his address, secretary Praveen said that the education sector needs to be prioritised to prevent the youth, who are the future pillars of the society, from falling prey to drugs.

He also emphasised the need for the students to participate in extracurricular activities, for which efforts are being made to rectify syllabus.

Dr RK Lenin's speech on the occasion centred on ways and means for the students to stay away from the influence of drugs.

Meanwhile, Lamyanba Irawat Memorial Integrated Trust (LIMIT), JNIMS Psychiatry Department and Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), Manipur State Branch (MSB) jointly observed the Day at JNIMS conference hall on Thursday.

In his speech as the chief guest, JNIMS medical superintendent Dr Kh Lokeshwar stressed the need for controlling the drug menace for a healthy mind and body, failing which the youth would be in a precarious situation, in addition leading to rise in spread of infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and others.

He then highlighted the need to investigate why drugs are hard to control in-spite of the sustained efforts by activists, Meira Paibis and CSOs.

While the family plays an important role in preventing drug abuse, the education sector needs to help students understand the ill effects of drugs.

Imparting education after addiction is meaningless, he remarked.

The observance was attended by JNIMS Psychiatry Department head Prof Dr Koijam Shan-tibala as president, and AMKIL president Lourembam Nganbi as guest of honour, while YOM chairman Sinthangamba Lourembam was special guest and JNIMS Psychiatry Department assistant professor and IPS-MSB general secretary Dr Nelson Loitongbam the resource person.

RIMS Department of Psychiatry also observed the Day under the theme "The Evidence is Clear; Invest in Prevention, Break the Cycle".

According to a RIMS Media Cell release, Department of Psychiatry head Dr S Gojendra Singh delivered an insightful speech highlighting the rising trend of substance abuse among youth.

He stressed the need for preventive education, early intervention, and a strong support system, urging all stakeholders to collaborate and invest in evidence-based prevention strategies.

Meanwhile, Dr RK Lenin stressed the need for increased awareness and mental health services to tackle addiction from both psychological and social angles.

He highlighted the critical role of community involvement and institutional commitment in reducing the burden of drug-related harm.

The observance had the participation of faculty members, senior residents, postgraduate trainees (PGTs), junior residents, psychiatric social workers, nursing staff, project staff, and Tele-MANAS staff of the Department.

NAB Manipur also collaborated with NCB Imphal Zone in organised a Cyclothon on the theme "Say yes to life, say no to drugs" on Thursday, as part of the observance.

The cyclothon flagged off from NCB Imphal Zone, Changangei office complex by IGP (Intelligence) Worngam Ningshen was participated by 103 cyclists.

NAB Manipur also conducted anti-drug awareness programmes as KM Blooming Higher Secondary School (Khangabok), Ipa Ibungo Midway Home (Thangmeiband Hijam Leikai), Shine, IRCA (Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai), RIMS College of Nursing, Singjamei fiolice station, Agape Rehabilitation Centre Churachandpur) and a media workshop at Manipur Press Club.

The Day was also observed by Coalition against Drugs & Alcohol (CADA) Manipur at HRD Academy, Ghari with CADA president Hijam Priyokumar, vice president Ningthoujam Doren,'HRD Academy Management Committee secretary Thounaojam Rohmshang, and principal Sarangajit Khundrakpam as presidium members, and senior psychiatrist Dr S Manikanta and advocate Dr Ch Narendra as resource persons.

As a part of the observance, National Peo-ple s Party Manipur Youth Front in association with Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur organised a blood donation programme at the RIMS.

Jiribam district administration and district police also observed the Day by organising a Walkathon flagged off by Jiribam SP Sheikh Mohd Zaib Zakir from Irawat Chowk.

The participants, including personnel from the district police and 87 BN CRPF, teachers and students from Kasturba Girls High School, DLO(s) and officials, marched carrying placards and banners with anti-drug slogans.

Social Welfare Department, Bishnupur in collaboration with Bishnupur district administration organised a District Level Spot Painting Competition at Kyamba Ningsing Shanglen as part of the observance.

Altogether 350 students from 35 government and private schools in the district participated in two categories, A (Classes VI-IX) and B (Classes X-XII) .

In category A, the first, second and third prizes were bagged by Modern Higher Secondary School, Bishnupur student Linthoi Ningthoujam, Comprehensive School, Oinam student Bikrama Lourembam and Mother s Pride Academy, Kwasiphai student Irungbam Arbin Meitei respectively.

In category B, Mother's Pride Academy student Konjengbam Milky Devi won first price, while Ningthoukhong Higher Secondary School student Haobijam Anamika Chanu won second and Modern Higher Secondary School student Irungbam Bidyananda won third prize.

Five students from each category were awarded consolation prizes.

Meanwhile, Thoubal district police organised a bike rally on the theme "Say yes to life, say no to drugs", in connection with the observance of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Prior to the bike rally, Thoubal DC Hannah Kamei led officers and personnel of the district police, District Social Welfare, Thoubal staff and youth in taking a pledge to put an end to drug abuse.

On the other hand, a rally carrying the message of 'Drugs Free Yairipok' and 'Healthy Youth Healthy Society' was organised by Yairipok PS in collaboration with clubs, organisations and Meira Paibi of Yairipok on Wednesday.

Kha-Manipur Yoga and Nature Cure Association, Kakching also observed the Day at Anandasingh Yoga and Nature Cure Research Hospital, Chumnang Leikai Machin-Manao Ching on Thursday with Kakching SP Priyadarshini Laishram as chief guest, Association chief functionary Dr Mayanglambam Rajkumar as president, and District Social Welfare officer Seram Asha as guest of honour.

Healing Point-IRCA (Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts), Kakching project coordinator Salam Rameshwar attended as resource person.

Kakching PS also collaborated with Anjuman Nasrul Islam (Ulama-e-Association) Sora, All Sora Clubs' Co-ordinating Committee (ASCCOC) and others in organising a public meeting and rally at Sora in connection with the Day.

Hiyanglam PS organised an awareness programme at Pole Star School, Wabagai Hiyanglam and Wabagai Higher Secondary School, while Sekmaijin Out Post took out a rally in Sekmaijin area.

Waikhong PS also organised awareness programme at Waikhong High School and Langmeidong Bazar, while carrying out a rally with Kakching Khunou Municipal Council.

Awareness programmes were organised by Wangoo Lamkhai Out Post at Pangaltabi along with a rally; Wangoo PS at Wangoo Laipham Upper Primary School; Sugnu PS at Sugnu Bazar and Serou Bazar; Pallel PS at Pallel High School along with an quiz competition; and Arong Nongmaikhong PS at Arong Khunou.

Meanwhile, under the supervision of Chandel SP Babitarani Swain, Chandel district police observed the anti-drug Day with a cleanliness drives at different location in the district.