Imphal, June 26: Waking up to the urgent need of the hour and for the first time the State Government has given recognition to the contribution being made by the recovered drug users in the ongoing fight to prevent abuse of drugs and other harmful pharmatuetical substances among the people of Manipur especially the youth.

In all, 67 recovered drug addicts including four women were honoured with gifts and mementoas at the occasion of the State level International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observance function held at Kangla Hall here today.

The function was jointly organised by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur and Federation of Indian NGOs Working on Drug Abuse Prevention (FINGO-DAP), Manipur Chapter.

MLA M Oken and MLA Kh Loken were chief guest and president of the function which was also attended by Director of Social Welfare Nabakumar, Deputy Director Satyabati and NACO Consultant Salam Gautam as guests of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, the dignitaries appreciated the contributions being made by the recovered drug users in various capacities in containing the problem of drug abuse in Manipuri society today.

The two MLAs who were present at the occasion also expressed their commitment of the legislators in Manipur in fighting against the menace of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS in Manipuri society today.

In this regard, a one-day conference on HIV/AIDS awareness to be held on June 30 in the Assembly Secretariat, they informed.

Interesting, among those who were felicitated at the occasion, there were many who have been able to stayed clean from drugs for as long as to 5 to 21 years and now dedicating them to the cause of fight against the drug menace in various capacities as consultant, project manager, State co-ordinator, etc of NGOs working in the field.

Various organisations also observed the day by organising various programmes.

Nirvana Foundation observed the event by organising a fashion parade to spread the message of primary drug abuse prevention among the young people at GM Hall here today.

A documentary film entitled 'Punshi' highlighting the problems being faced by the widows of IDUs was also released at the occasion.

The event was supported by the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India under Project G-86.Deputy Director of Intervention, MACS Dr Manikanta Singh, News editor of ISTV K Madhumangol Singh and Project Associate of UNODC, Shillong Sushmita Banerjee graced the observance function as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

At the conference hall of Hotel Excellency, Hands for Peaceful Society (HAPES), User Positive Alliance (UPA), ESDO, WESDEVS and People of Positive (PoP+) observed the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking along with a serious deliberation on the issue.

State Programme Associate of MNP+ Ajitshwor, HIV in-charge of JN Hospital Radharani, Project Manager of HAPES and president of PoP + M Pushpakanta, etc were among the main resource persons who attended the programme held with secretary of Band of Hope (Wangkhei) Th Sarat Singh, president of Kripa Society (Lalambung) H Dineshwor and chairperson of Lainingthou Foundation Th (O) Sakhi Devi as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

You and I Network organised a debating competition on the motion 'Drugs abuse is the biggest issue in the State of Manipur' for students of class IX to XII standard at the hall of Leimarol Art Centre (LAC) at Singjamei Chingamakha to mark the occasion.

Members of Empowerment of Community for Human Education and Multitude Advancement (ECHEMA) launched a poster campaign in and around Lamphel Super Market complex in connection with its observance of the day.

Manipur Intravenous League (MIVL) observed the day as the Ist annual remembrance ceremony for all those lost their lives to drugs.

All Manipur Nupi Samaj, Meetei Leimarol Sinai Sang, Lifeline Foundation, Jan Shikhshan Sansthan, Chingamathak Youth Learners' Club, etc were along the organisations which have observed the day in their own way.

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