Drug trafficking corridor needs to be broken: DCM
ITANAGAR, Jun 26: International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed across the state with various awareness programmes, especially targeted towards the youth.
At Namsai, Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein called for waging a war against drug addiction to eradicate it from the society
He said that Eastern Arunachal from Longding to Dibang Valley districts is a very prosperous region and the area has huge prospects in tourism, agriculture and horticulture. Potential tourist circuits like Namsai-Parashuramkund-Tezu-Roing-Mayodia and proper road connection gives advantage for the region, he said adding that soon region will have railway and air connectivity too.
He said drug menace is posing great threat to the peaceful environment and serenity of the region besides destroying the younger generations.
The DCM claimed that there is a corridor of drug trafficking from Changlang to Namsai, Lohit, Anjaw, Lower Dibang Valley and East Siang districts to western part of Arunachal Pradesh, which needs to be broken.
He lauded the role of community based organizations and the women welfare society of Namsai district for their efforts in eradicating the drug menace from the district by creating drug awareness campaign and running the drug de-addiction centre in the district.
He said that the de-addiction centre at Lathao would be converted into a rehabilitation centre and board members from Guwahati would soon be visiting the centre.
He also cautioned that those who are committing illegal acts with the promotion and selling of banned substances are liable to be booked under the appropriate section of Indian Penal Code.
He called upon the educated youths to avail schemes under CM’s Swalambhan Yojana for entrepreneurship development, and to avail opportunities of government-provided skill development courses and training.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr Mohesh Chai said the government needs to frame a proper policy to address the drug menace and to save the future generations from falling prey to it.
He informed that the state government has already kept fund for alternate crops for poppy cultivation and assured that it will be implemented soon in the opium cultivated districts where people cultivate it as main source of income.
He lauded one Tewa Manpoong, who was once addicted to drugs but recovered; now working and helping the addicted people for their de-addiction and rehabilitation. He appealed such people to come forward and be an example for others to follow in the society.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning & Investment, Chau Zingnu Namchoom said that the districts under eastern region have become gateway to drug trafficking. He called upon the NGOs, CBOs and educated youths to come forward and fight against this menace united. He informed that a committee has been formed for implementation of budget announcement and soon alternate cropping for poppy cultivation will also be implemented in Namsai district.
Commissioner (Tax & excise), Anirudh Singh informed that the UN General Assembly has decided to observed 26 June as International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking every year to make world drug abuse free.
Among others, Deputy Commissioner, Namsai R K Sharma, Assistant Commissioner (Tax & Excise), Tanon Tatak, representatives of Namsai Women Welfare Society, NGOs, CBOs and de-addicted persons also spoke on the occasion and voiced to fight the drug abuse and illicit trafficking unitedly.
A rally by government officials, members of NGOs, CBOs and students was also carried out in Namsai Township in the morning to mark the occasion.
At Itanagar, over 400 NCC cadets from higher secondary schools and colleges of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam attended a seminar to mark International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at the auditorium of Dera Natung Government College here on Tuesday.
The Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, in association with the Drug De-addiction Cell of the Directorate of Health and 1st AP BN NCC, Naharlagun, organised the seminar with the theme “Let’s develop our lives, our communities, our identities without drug”.
Attending the programme as resource person, IECAPSACS Deputy Director Tashor Pali educated the students on the routes of HIV/AIDS transmission and its prevention.
“Youths are the backbone of the nation and at the same time youths are the most vulnerable age group as per HIV/AIDS is concerned,” he said, adding that HIV/AIDS can easily be prevented if everyone is aware of the ABC of it-abstinence, be faithful to your partner and condom usage.
He also appealed to the people not to discriminate people living with HIV.
He also informed about the alarming rise in HIV cases in the state, which currently is 354, with 216 cases detected in Papum Pare district alone.
Assistant Director (TI)APSACS, Dr Marto Ette highlighted that the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is an important occasion to reach out to the youth and create awareness about the menace of drug abuse.
Explaining about drugs and drug abuse, he said that drug abuse is the self administration of a drug for non-medical reasons, in quantities and frequencies which may impair an individual’s ability to function effectively and which may result in social, physical or emotional harm.
Lt Colonel N K Bishnoi, SM, Commanding Officer of the 1stAP BN NCC, asked the cadets to take home the information and impart the same to their friends and relatives, as drug abuse and HIV are emerging as major menaces, especially in the North East.
The Capital unit police also organized a campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, and distributed pamphlets to the youths and parents at various locations here
An awareness programme was also held at the government school in C -sector where about 100 students were informed about the dangerous effects of drug abuse.
At Hollongi, an awareness rally was organized by the D and F Company of 12th Bn NDRF, which culminated at the government middle school here. The students were told about the ill effects of drugs and advised to stay away from abusing drugs.
Speaking on the occasion, Inspector GD Indra Singh Bisht said that the aim of the programme is to create healthy environment among the people.
The company also conducted a cleanliness drive at the school premises.
