Imphal, May 04: Expressing serious concern over the widespread drug addictions specially among the youths in the North Eastern region including Manipur, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Meiraa Kumar has given a clarion call to join hands in creating a social climate of abstinence from drugs.

Inaugurating the annual meeting of Regional Resource Training Centres (RRTCs) and convergence workshop of NGOs at the conference hall of State Guest House, Sanjenthong today, the Union Minister who arrived here on a three-day State visit said the UPA Government at the Centre is committed to put an end to the menace of drug abuse.

She said the problem of drug abuse is a global issue and indeed a major concern of the Nation as it affects the productive segment of the society the most and reduces the individual's capacity.

Time has come for all of us to realise that not just the Government or the NGOs alone can tackle the drug addiction but the entire society has a stake in creating a drug free Nation, she said adding that the most effective way to solve drug menace is to enhance community participation in the programme.

Taking note of the fact that the NE States are particularly vulnerable to the drug abuse due to their geographical location, i.e.proximity to the Golden Triangle, the Union Minister said 'this makes our task all the more challenging'.

To tackle the problem of drug addiction, she said her Ministry has adopted a two-pronged strategy.

First is to allocate adequate resources and the second is to provide full coverage of drug addicts by increasing the number of treatment-cum-de-addiction centres and counselling centres in the region.

The Union Minister further said that her Ministry has special consideration for the North Eastern States and added that special efforts are on to ensure that general flow of welfare fund for the welfare schemes in the region is substantially augmented and level of fund utilisation is enhanced.

Consequently, fund allocation for NE States increased from Rs 55.63 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 69.53 crore in 2006-07 and during the same period, the level of utilisation rose from 47 percent to 96.86 percent, she said.

"Among the welfare schemes, my Ministry gives special emphasis on the development and welfare of disabled persons and older persons," she informed.

The inaugural function of the RRTCs consultative meet cum convergence workshop of NGOs working in the field of drug abuse prevention was presided over by Minister of PHE and Tourism, Govt of Manipur TN Haokip.

Director NISD Satyendra Prakash, Additional Secretary Sandeep Khanna and Commissioner (Social Welfare) Govt of Manipur IS Laishram graced the dais as guests of honour.

The event was jointly organised by NCDAP-NISD, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Social Welfare Department, Govt of Manipur and FINGODAP Manipur Chapter.

Comment