Mirabai for rehab of drug
users
IMPHAL,
June 26: State Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai has appealed for
rehabilitation of drug users in the state.
The
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on the theme
“Think Health, Not Drugs” was observed across the state on Tuesday with the
main function organizing at Bal Bhavan premises in Khuman Lampak Sports Complex
here.
The event
which was organized by Social Welfare Department, government of Manipur, was
attended by AK Mirabai, Minister, Social Welfare, M Prithiviraj, MLA, Moirang
constituency, RK Noyonsana, Chairman, Social Welfare Department and Dr L
Ibetombi Devi, chairperson, Manipur State Commission for Women as chief guest,
president and guests of honour respectively.
In his
keynote address, Lithkhogen Haokip, Commissioner, Social Welfare Department,
said drug and alcohol abuse has been quite a social norm in every part of the
world today and ultimately the UN taking serious note on the issue first
started to observe the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking since 1989.
Haokip
said that different mechanism being taken up to undertake the menace of drug
abuse by various NGOs and the government agencies in the state are not all
right at present as the rate of drug users is now alarmingly increasing in the
state.
Speaking
on the occasion, Social Welfare Minister, AK Mirabai said the main
objective of the observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit
Trafficking is to make all out effort for eradication of drug abusers and
illicit drug traffickers.
She
remarked the day is being observed with a big question on the probability of
solving the problem of drug abuse which is increasing day by day in the state.
Miraibai
also suggested that proper steps should be taken up to rehabilitate all the
drug users in the state and to show them the way to normal life.
It is
also necessary to review the works taken up by the concerned government
agencies as well as the NGOs with regard to eradication and rehabilitation
programmes for drug users, insisting that the NGOs are the guardians of drug
users.
All the
members both from the government and NGOs should meet and interact together
once in a month to discuss about their basic requirements, Miraibai
suggested.
The
minister also assured that the Social Welfare Department will consider
initiating a state drug policy and that those children at the ICDS and the
widow survivors will be provided benefits under certain beneficiary schemes.
The state
government is also looking for practical suggestions and views from all the
experts in dealing with the problem of drug abuse as there is an interdependent
relationship between the government and the public in solving every problem.
The day
was also observed at the Multipurpose Hall, Senapati organized by district
police.
In her
inaugural address, Pushpanjali, IPS, Superintendant of Police, Senapati
district, said in Manipur, where a considerable population of young brigade has
lost its energy, strength and power to drugs and psychotropic substance, there
is utmost need to organize such events in a mass scale.
Today's
programme has been organized with the same spirit to provide a common platform
for all the stakeholders to come together and collaborate to control drug
abuse, the SP said.
She said
compulsive, excessive and self-damaging use of habit forming drugs or
substances leading to addiction or dependence, strains physiological injury
(such as damage to kidneys, liver, heart) and other psychological harm (such as
dysfunctional behavior patterns, hallucinations, memory loss) as death is
called substance abuse.
Some of
the common drug abuse includes alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, heroine, cannabis,
opium etc, Pushpanjali noted.
She also
said as we all are aware that drug addiction causes immense human distress and
the illegal production and distribution of drugs have spawned crime and
violence worldwide. Today, there is no part of the world, which is free from
this menace.
The
picture is grim if the world statistics on the drug scenario is taken into
account. With a turnover of around $ 500 billions, it is the third largest
business in the world, next to petroleum and arms trade. Illegal Drug Trade is
a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacturing distribution and
sale of drugs, she added.
She
added, though drug trafficking in many countries involves major penalty even
death penalty in some countries, it remains a menace, because trading in banned
drugs remains highly lucrative. However, due to its illicit nature, statistics
about profits from the drug trade are largely unknown.
India too
is caught in this vicious circle of drug abuse, and the numbers of drug addicts
are increasing day by day. Due to its location between two major illicit opium
producing centers in Asia - Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle, India
experiences large amount of drug trafficking through the borders and it has
become a transshipment point. Cannabis, heroin and Indian produced
pharmaceutical drugs are the most frequently abused drugs in India, the SP
further added.
She said
it is a common feature in northeast India that the earning of money is quickly
reflected in the apparent consumption patterns of the people. More dangerously,
it has also reflected in the behavior of the youth who have very limited
entertainment options in the region. And one very fashionable way is to resort
to expensive narcotics.
Drug
abuse in a society not only ruins life of an individual, a family but also it
ruins the image of a society beyond measures. drug abuse creates mental,
familial, social, occupational, financial, and legal consequences, she
asserted.
She said
the illicit drug trade is a highly sophisticated operation with clearly defined
interests, strategies and aims with a unified power structure, and with total
control over the whole process including a complex chain of small businesses.
Various
laws have been enacted to control drug abuse and illicit Trafficking like the
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 which was enacted with
stringent provisions to curb this menace, she mentioned.
AK Sinha,
IPS (Zone-III), Manipur said the Spasmo Proxyvon (SP) which is used by the
youth as the most favourite drug is produced as a medicine item in India in
large quantity and that there is need tohttp://ifp.co.in/imphal-free-press-full-story.php?newsid=7263&catid=1tackle such drug abuse collectively.
Bunii
Simon, District Project Officer, Nehru Yuva Kendra who was also speaking at the
event pointed out that there are 119 million drug addicts across the globe out
of which 1 million of them live in India alone.
He also
appealed to all the drug users to wake up and take part in the making of
future.
As part
of the observance a speech competition and another quiz competition were also
organized.
Dr.
Simpson Sareo CMO Senapati, L. Thangkhulun Kuki, District Social Welfare
Officer Senapati, Basanta of Divine Life De- addiction Center Imphal, members
of civil society among others also took part at the event.
In
Thoubal district, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Trafficking was
also organized at the auditorium of New Public Higher Secondary School under
the aegis of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Thoubal of Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports, government of India.
The day
was also observed at 69 BN CRPF stationed at Mantripukhri here.
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