The theme of this year is “Share the facts on Drugs, Save Lives”.
TFM Desk
As in other parts of the world, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was also observed in the state on Saturday.
As a part of celebration of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2021, the Department of Social Welfare Manipur organised various online programmes and competitions, starting from June 19, 2021 on the theme of the year “Share the facts on Drugs, Save Lives”. The programme is also a part of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” – celebration of 75 Years of India’s Independence, according to a release.
The main programmes of the year included — Two Days Online Training Programme on Empowering the Youth on Prevention of Drug Use for Local Clubs or Organizations on June 25 and 26, 2021; Online Photography Contest on the theme of the year; Online Painting Competition on the theme of the year; Online Selfie Contest with caption; Three minute story telling for street-based Drug user on the theme “How I landed in Imphal City as a drug user”.
The result of all the online competition has also been declared.
The release also mentioned that as a part of the observation on Saturday, gifts like clothing were also distributed to inmates of the designated detoxification and treatment camps for sheet based drug users organised at — Divine Light Rehabilitation Centre, Canchipur, Imphal; Sneha Bhavan, Sangaiprou, Imphal; and Yakairakpa De-addiction Centre, Meitei Langol Type-2, Imphal.
These de addiction camps were organised in coordination with Federation of Indian NGO on Drug Abuse Prevention-Manipur Chapter and Drug Users Federation for Human Rights and Justice (DUFHR), Imphal. The Day was also observed in all the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs) and private run de-addiction centres, it added.
On the other hand, Moreh Youth Club (MYC) in collaboration with NEEDS and North East Dialogue Forum observed the day at the conference hall of Hill Tribal Council (HTC) Moreh.
An awareness bike rally was also organised. The bike rally was fag-off by Hill Tribal Council, Moreh president Jangmang Haokip.
Later, a seminar on the menace of drugs was held at HTC conference Hall.
NEEDS senior coordinator Darngam Khaling, CWC Tengnoupal district chairperson Michael Thomas, KSO Moreh block general secretary David J Vaiphei were the resource persons of the seminar. Locals from HTC units 1-12, executives of KWU & HR, MPF, HTC, Adulam Rehabilitation Centre and Asha Bhawan also attended the seminar.
While maintaining that Moreh being located in the transit point for illicit drugs business from the infamous Golden Triangle to India, Darngam Khaling said that Moreh residents, especially grown-ups and youths are extremely vulnerable to drugs. Both the parents of a child should take responsibility to save their kids from drug menace, she added.
On the other hand, Kangpokpi District Police also observed the day at SP Conference Hall. SP Kangpokpi Karthik Malladi and senior officers of the district police spoke on the occasion and sensitised the officers and men present and urged them to continue the fight against this menace.
It was followed by a rally along the highway in Kangpokpi town holding banners, creating awareness on the ill effects of drugs through a public addressing system. The awareness rally led by SP Kangpokpi, was participated by about 50 officers and men of Kangpokpi district police and a few representatives of CSOs. The rally which started from Kangpokpi DHQ ended at T Twinom junction near Kangpokpi PS gate.