IMPHAL, June 26: As in other parts of the world, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was also observed widely in several parts of the state under the theme, “Make Health Your New Life, Not Drugs”.
The Social Welfare department as part of its efforts to strengthen its actions, raise awareness and to gain co-operation of the public in its fight to achieve a drug abuse and illicit trafficking free society had also observed the day at the Lamyanba Shanglen.
The observation was supported by several NGOs, sports-players, civil societies and others.
Speaking as the chief guest, Barun Mitra, Principal Secretary, Social Welfare/ RD said, “We have to stop drug users and illicit trafficking and it’s the right time.”
The Social Welfare department will keep on trying to achieve the goal of a society free of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, he said while continuing on the need to take the initiative and create awareness amongst the people.
He further appealed to the public not to use drugs and not to consider using drugs.
H Rupachandra Singh, Joint Secretary, Social Welfare said the day is important and the United Nation has decided to observe it against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He said that it was also agreed to acknowledge that drug abuse and illicit trafficking is an epidemic which runs across the world destroying human societies starting younger ones and further appealed to the public to join hands.
The NSS Cell, Manipur University also observed day at the premises of the Court Hall, Manipur University.
A month long poster campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking initiated as part of the observation also concluded today.
Speaking during the observation, Ngangom Tejkumar, Special Public Prosecutor said people should not be violent with anyone caught in an illegal manner such as drug trafficking, however the government should hand such individuals over to the police along with all seized items and urged for seizure memo. Lack of awareness and knowledge of the public about the law has resulted in the escape of several culprits in the state, he said.
Drugs and other kinds of intoxicants have always been creating problems and in case it is not stopped in time, then the society will be ruined, he said.
The Social Welfare office, Jiribam, Child Welfare Ashram, Jiribam and Civil Police, Jiribam have also jointly organised the day at Jiribam Town Hall today.
Speaking at the function, L Khogen Singh, officer in charge of Jiribam Police station said parents should meet their children once a day either at morning or night or while they are having meals twice in a day.
The observation was presided by L Khogen Singh, Officer in Charge of Jiribam Police station while Y Iboyaima Singh, ADC of Jiribam and Anima Roy, CDPO, ICDS Jiribam attended as chief guest and guest of honour, respectively.
The chief functionary of Child Welfare Ashram Jiribam, S Iboton Singh said in his keynote address that Jiribam is located at the western boundary of Manipur which bypasses National Highway 37 thereby confronting various problems of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS cases.
He further alerted the gathering and general public of Jiribam to be aware of the situation.
L Khogen Singh OC articulated that Jiribam may be a drug prone area because of its location which lies on the National Highway 37 through which many contraband drug items might be ferrying and he further said that parent should ask children what they feel, what they want and should meet once a day so as to understand them.
The day was also observed at NIC, Jiribam Kalinagar.