ITANAGAR, Jun 26: Along with rest of the world, the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed all over the state on Wednesday.
The International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is a United Nation’s initiative to raise awareness among the masses against drug abuse and illegal drug trade.
It has been held since 26 June, 1988 in order to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
The theme this year was ‘health for justice, justice for health.’
The day was observed at Aalo (West Siang) by the Police department involving students, parents and various organizations, NGOs, including Mothers’ Vision, Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS).
West Siang SP Jummar Basar said: “Drug menace is one of the major problems the society is facing today as it not only derails the youths but also destroys the very fabric of the society.”
Stating that the police will not remain a mute spectator to the growing drugs menace, he cautioned the youth against indulging in illicit drugs abuse.
DMO Dr. Moli Riba urged the parents to take time to educate their children about the dangers of drug abuse and to guide them properly.
Former minister Kento Ete, DDSE Eto Ete, APWWS (West Siang unit) president Marbom Riba Bagra Inspector O Pertin spoke on drug problems and its impact on the society, while Mothers’ Vision chairman Jumde Yomgam Gamlin and Kennedy Bagra, who counsels drug addicts at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Aalo, highlighted the problems of drug abuse, drug trafficking and ways and means to check the menace.
A speech competition on the key theme was also conducted among the students.
At Namsai, local MLA Chau Zingnu Namchoom called upon all the stakeholders, including NGOs, CBOs and SHGs to work together and join hands with the administration and police in the fight against the drug problem.
Deputy Commissioner Tapasya Raghav highlighted the impacts of drug abuse on the user’s body, their family members and the society.
At Pasighat, the Narcotic Control Cell, Department of Tax & Excise in collaboration with the East Siang District Health Society and the district administration observed the day at IGJ HS School.
East Siang DC Kinny Singh urged the officers to deal strictly with drug abusers and traffickers or peddlers. She also urged parents “to keep an eye on their children to make sure that they do not get into danger of drug abuse.”
State Nodal Officer (Narcotics), Oling Koyu and DMO Dr Kaling Dai highlighted the ill-effects of drugs and psychotropic substance abuse, while East Siang SP Prashant Gautam and advocate Borik Tarang spoke on the NDPS Act its legal implications.
A procession was also taken out in the main thoroughfare of Pasighat town by the organizers to sensitize the people about the harmful effects of drugs and substance abuse and alcoholism.
At an awareness programme organized on the occasion at Nyorch, Yupia in Papum Pare district, the organizers highlighted the ill effects of drugs abuse and the role of parents and elders in the society in tackling the drugs menace.
The public were also informed about the de-addiction centre at TRIHMs, Naharlagun for rehabilitation of the addicts.
The programme was attended by the Yupia ADC (i/c), DRCHO, DANO cum MSDAMS and DPO (NCD) cum DSO (IDSP).
At Changlang, the Health Department and Arunachal Pradesh Police in collaboration with the district administration observed the day.
Informing that eight districts of the eastern Arunachal are under the grip of drug problem and illicit trafficking, DMO Dr CL Manchey urged all the participants to come forward and motivate the family and relatives to stay away from drugs and illicit trafficking.
Dr M Zongsam said the teenagers are the most vulnerable group to drug addiction. “They mainly fall prey to drugs addiction due to availability of drugs, curiosity and use of drugs by their parents,” he said.
He further informed that the number of drugs addicts in Changlang district is alarmingly high.
The Changlang OC informed that the drug used in the district are highly adulterated and are highly injurious to health. He appealed to all to help police in curbing drug menace by sharing information about drug traffickers and distributors. He assured that the identities of the informers will not be disclosed.
Later, Changlang ADC Talo Jerang administered the anti-drug pledge to all the participants.
At Khonsa, the day was organized jointly by the department of Health & Family Welfare and Care Me Home Society.
A marathon race themed “no to drugs – yes to life” was organized to generate public awareness about the drug problem in the district.
DC PN Thungon, who flagged off the race, appealed to the youths of the district to abstain from drug use and illicit trafficking in the region.
He said the TCL districts have been badly affected by opium menace, where most of the youths are addicted drugs, including brown sugar.
The winners of the marathon race were later awarded with cash prizes. (DIPROs)
