Mass movement must to root out drugs; Sanajaoba
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 26 2022: Titular king of Manipur and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba has called for public participation in the government's war against drugs campaign and to make it into a mass movement in order to successfully root out drug menace from the soil of Manipur.

Speaking as chief guest during the observance of 'Mayai Kaba Chinjakki Mayokta Mitkap Thokpa Numit' organised by Kanglei People Against Narcotics and Psychotropic Substance (Kanglei PANAS) at GM hall here on Sunday, Leishemba Sanajaoba expressed concern over the present condition of the society, which he termed as moving backward.

He said that as per NITI Aayog report, the average fertility rate of youth in the state has slipped to 1.7 percent.

The report also mentioned that communities experiencing downfall in fertility rate might not be able to produce offspring after three to four generations if the trend remains unchanged.

The main cause behind the reduced fertility rate is drugs and substance abuse as most of the youth in today's society abuse one or another drugs or substance.

Children reading in the 8th standard are now starting to abuse substance and most of these children may become addicts when they reach the adult stage.

Considering the gravity of the situation, a strong need for a mass movement is felt to root out the menace of drugs and substance abuse from the society, he said.

There was a time when one used to ask how many youths in a locality are abusing drugs.

However, today, the question has changed to how many youths are not using drugs in a locality.

It is this disturbing trend that drives the government to carry out its war on drugs campaign aggressively, he said, while calling upon CSOs, clubs and the public to participate in the campaign and turn it into a mass movement.

He also stressed the need for MLAs establishing rehabilitation centres in their respective assembly constituencies to save the younger generations from drugs.

He also emphasised on strengthening government's rehabilitation centres.

Kshetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan said that Meetei Pangal community is largely affected by the increasing drug menace in the state.

He said that it needs a strong political will with holistic vision and policy to counter the menace effectively.

While stressing the need for support from CSOs, local clubs and Meira Paibi organisations to make the government's War on Drugs campaign successful, he said that an apex body of 54 clubs of his constituency has started an aggressive drive against drugs.

Kanglei PANAS president E Ibempishak presided over the observance, which was also attended by Pandam evening daily chief editor Maisnam Shivdutta Luwang, AMADA founder president L Tomba, JB Healthcare and Research Centre managing director Dr Ranibala Yengkhom, KRIPA Society president Hijam Dinesh and social activist Dina Oinam as guests.

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