IMPHAL, August 2: The All Manipur Anti-Drug Association, AMADA today organized an awareness programme on prevention of drug abuse and illicit trafficking at the Little Angels’ English School, Tangrei, Ukhrul district.
The programme was jointly organized by the Rural Education Development Association, REDA.
Superintendent of Narcotics Control Bureau, NCB RU, Imphal RK Ibungosana spoke on “Drug abuse prone to young students and its remedy”; Phychiatrist, District Hospital, Bishnupur Dr H Angomacha spoke on “Effect of Psychotropic Drugs in the body” while CoNE president, RK Nolinikanta spoke on “Involvement of various stakeholders in prevention of drug abuse”.
In his deliberation during the awareness programme, RK Ibungosana said the people of Ukhrul are very hospitable and they know how to welcome their guests.
While elaborating on the ills of drug abuse, he urged the students to stay away from drugs and to lead a clean life and try to incorporate strong disciplines.
He further said that we should not let our indigenous communities die out and as such start working for the development of the communities and the state.
He urged the students to listen to their parents and teachers as they will only teach them with good things.
He continued that the students should not heed to any unknown persons asking them to deliver things.
Tobacco products like gutkhas, cigarettes, etc are not good for the health even though the law allows its manufacturing, he said before urging the students to stay from such items too.
These days the used of prescription drugs as intoxicants by the youths are very common. This practice should be stopped at the earliest and the students should understand that it is not a good thing, he said.
He urged the young students to help their parents at home during their free times so as to keep themselves busy. They could also habituate themselves with the habit of games as we are all aware that our state is a sports powerhouse, he said.
CoNE president, RK Nolinikanta told the students that once they try drugs they will find it hard to come back to normal and be drawn towards the drug.
Recounting his past experience as a drug addict, Nolikanta said he came into his field as he is aware of the sufferings of a drug addict and does not want anyone to go through it.
“Never try to introduce yourself to drugs.”
The former drug addict also said that no one had started taking drugs to kill themselves, but due to several pressures, including family tensions, peer pressures, failures, etc, and so we should never let drugs overcome one-self, he said.
“Addiction is very powerful, once we started using drugs, the drugs will automatically control you.”
He continued that through injecting drugs there might be transmission of several deadly viruses including HIV, HBV, HCV, etc.
He also said that whenever the school authorities or parents find their students or wards using drugs, instead of humiliating them in front of their peers and physically abusing them, it would be better to instead have counselling sessions with someone who understands the problem.
Dr H Angomacha used a slide-show to elaborate on his topic.
The Director of the school Soso Shaiza lauded AMADA for organizing such awareness programmes in her school.
Lauding the AMADA, she said, “It is a very important programme which is in need”.
She said, “For the CBSE schools, such awareness programmes are compulsory”.
She further wished AMADA a prosperous and productive future.