Evil of drug habits among youths highlighted
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 22 2013: A two-day long workshop on "Substance Abuse among Children" organized jointly by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and Social Welfare Department, Government of Manipur, commenced at the conference hall of Hotel Classic today.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the inaugural function, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh stated that the best way to prevent abuse of drugs among the youths is to destroy producing units and check further transportation of drugs instead of seizing small shops and establishment selling drugs and other tobacco products.

He further stated that the State Government is taking up steps to prevent sale and use of tobacco products not only in and around schools but also in different parts of the State.

The Chief Minister went on to inform that even if the State Government tries its level best to control the sale and use of tobacco products by big businessmen in the State, it becomes useless as huge quantities of tobacco products from Assam are being brought in the State with the permission of the Central Government.

If the authorization of the Central Government for producing tobacco products in Assam is cut off, then the effort of the State Government to fight drug abuse will bear fruit, he added.

Observing that Manipur and Myanmar share international boundary measuring a distance of about 380 kms, the Chief Ministr noted that construction of border fencing over a distance of 200 kms has been completed as of now and the remaining areas are yet to be fenced.

It is through these unfenced areas that drug smugglers carry out their business in full swing.

Even some of the Army and AR personnel have turned their eyes over this drug business because of the easy passage of drugs.

In addition to enacting laws to prohibit use and sale of drugs, the people should also be made to understand the impacts of drugs on human beings and the society at large, the Chief Minister maintained.

Delivering the Presidential speech, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai stated that use of drugs not only destroys the health of an individual but also has an adverse impact on their families and the society as a whole.

As such, we should all stay away from drugs for our own good as well as for the betterment of the society.

She further informed that the State Government is always on the alert to prevent smuggling of drugs in the State and its sale and use.

In order prevent abuse of substances among children, they should be made to take part in games and sports, singing and paintings and other creative activities.

PC Lawmkunga, Chief Secretary; Dr Yogesh Dube, NCPCR member; VK Tikoo, member in-charge (North East Cell) and Chairperson of Working Group of Substance among Children, NCPCR and A Nabachandra, Chairperson, Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights were also present on the occasion as Guests of Honour.

There were four technical sessions of the workshop in which various experts from the State and outside presented papers on different topics.

Recommendations for necessary action would be taken on the second and last day of the workshop tomorrow.

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