PASIGHAT, Dec 22: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) member Priyank Kanoongo on Thursday urged government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure protection of child rights while enforcing laws and implementing policies.
Addressing government officers, NGO representatives and students during a meeting here in East Siang district, Kanoongo sought the involvement of communities and households in protecting child rights, and for their well-being.
He emphasized the role of the family and the community in discouraging substance abuse by children and adolescents.
Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak asked NGOs, student unions and the society as whole to work with the law enforcing agencies to eradicate the drug menace.
“The drug menace threatens the very survival of our future generation,” he said, adding that alcohol and drug abuse in the adolescent population “carries a high risk for school underachievement, delinquency, and depression.”
Expressing appreciation for the efforts of activists and NGOs like the Women Against Social Evils, he gave assurance that the administration would extend assistance to them, “besides financial help from the NCPCR.”
SP Prashant Gautam said abuse of alcohol and drug has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality among adolescents worldwide.
“While it is important to go after drug peddlers with all seriousness and firmness, it is also equally important to organize awareness campaigns on the ill-effects and dangers of drug addiction, particularly among students,” he said.
He also called for conducting counselling programmes for young drug addicts and their parents.
NCPCR technical expert, Paresh Shah, made a PowerPoint presentation on the achievements of the NCPCR. (DIPRO)
