DESAM suggested that the only way to fight the menace of drugs is supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction
TFM Desk
On the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) appeals to the people of the state to stand united and fight the menace of the drug.
A release by the special task force and anti-drug abuse of DESAM alerted the people stating that drugs have ravaged the society putting the people in critical situations. The number of people who use drugs is at an alarmingly high. And the student community and youth abusing substances are no exception. This has raised the question of who will safeguard the society and to whom the trust should be put upon, it added.
The student body maintains that the situation in Manipur is keen on the 19th century Opium war of China. With the fear that the community of the then China might become extinct due to the influence of Opium wars were waged on two separate occasions. But unfortunately in today’s Manipur, people seem to be observing a staunch silence, it lamented.
DESAM suggested that the only way to fight the menace of drugs is supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction. Amongst these supply reduction can be achieved only when there is a courageous government whom people believe in and working in tandem with the people. So it is onus upon the government to win the trust of the people.
For demand reduction and harm reduction, only the wisdom of the people can collectively achieve it. Stating that the state has now become a producer of drugs, earlier it used to be imported, the student body said that even though the state government had announced its war on drugs the business of drugs seems to be thriving in the state. Its clear example is the confiscation of huge quantities of drugs almost every day, it argued.
Maintaining that the youth need to be reinvigorated in the fight against drugs, DESAM highlighted the role of guardians.