KHONSA, Jan 28: The Care Me Home Welfare Society (CMHWS) on Tuesday organised district-level drawing and essay competitions on ‘drug abuse and awareness’ among schoolchildren here and in Deomali, in Tirap district.
DC PN Thungon, who along with SP Kardak Riba attended the event, commended the organiser for conducting the event to create awareness on drug abuse and its ill-effects on the users’ health and the society.
He expressed hope that the event would “send a strong message to the society, most importantly to the student community and youths, about the social evils of drugs abuse and menace.”
The DC lamented that “the youths of Tirap, Changlang and Longding region are being destroyed by drugs and other intoxicating substances,” and appealed to the villagers to stop growing poppy.
He also announced cash reward for anyone giving information related to drug peddling and smuggling activities in the district.
Riba asked drug peddlers and poppy cultivators to abide by the law, stating that sale and use of drugs are illegal under the NDPS Act. He also informed about the quantum of penalty and punishment for offenders.
Highlighting the aims and objectives of the event, CMHWS chief functionary Sontung Lowang Bangsia said many villagers, particularly those living near the Indo-Myanmar border, are still unaware that growing poppy is illegal and punishable under the NDPS Act.
“This prompted us to organise the event, involving the student community, so that the message reaches the targeted ones,” she said.
Bangsia informed that 183 students from 14 schools participated in the drawing and essay writing competitions. The prizes to the top three winners will be awarded during the Statehood Day celebration on 20 February.
The competition in Deomali was attended by ADC Penga Tato, DMO Dr K Mossang, and Deomali CHC MO Dr S Roy. (DIPRO)
