CM appeals to people to rise against drug abuse
ITANAGAR, 26 Jun: Chief Minister Pema Khandu appealed to the people of the state to rise against drug abuse and enhance cooperation to achieve a drug-free society.
“On #International Day Against Drug Abuse, I call upon citizens to strengthen their action and build cooperation for a drug-free society,” Khandu tweeted on Sunday.
“A society free of drug abuse and its illicit trafficking is on a progressive path,” he wrote.
To commemorate the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Arunachal Pradesh Drug De-Addiction Society (APDDAS) organised a pledge-taking ceremony at the health services directorate in Naharlagun on Sunday, marking the culmination of the ‘Nasha se Azadi Pakhwada’ under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Health Services Director Dr M Lego, who led the participants in taking the no-drug pledge, emphasised the need to raise mass awareness against substance abuse and its ill effects.
In West Kameng, programmes were organised at the higher secondary school in Bomdila and in various administrative circles.
In Lower Subansiri district, hundreds of people participated in a rally themed ‘Nasha se Azadi’, organised in Ziro by the district administration, in collaboration with the tax & excise department, the Tanw Supun Dukun and the Apatani Women’s Association (AWA), to mark the conclusion of the ‘Nasha se Mukt Pakhwada’, which had begun on 12 June.
Deputy Commissioner Bamin Nime appealed to the public to be proactive in reporting drug peddling cases to the police and the administration, and gave assurance that the names of informers would be kept secret.
Students from various government and private schools, GBs, members of the Apatani Youth Association, the police department, government officers, and others joined the rally.
Earlier, on Saturday, the AWA organised a street show to create awareness on the ill-effects of drug abuse, as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
In Itanagar, IMC Mayor Tame Phassang, who flagged off a walkathon, appealed to the society to together fight against drug abuse.
The walkathon, from Itanagar to Naharlagun, was organised by Aalo (West Siang)-based NGO Mother’s Vision to mark the day.
“Drug menace is one of the major challenges in the society. It not only ruins the abuser but also the family and the whole society. It can be eradicated only through awareness and prevention, and our fight is with the drug menace, not with the addicted persons. So, I appeal to each and every one to join hands in the fight against the drug menace,” said Phassang.
In Anjaw district, the Hayuliang-based drug de-addiction centre, in collaboration with the Amik Matai Society, Tezu, observed the final day of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with an awareness programme at Sunrise School in Zero Point in Hayuliang.
In Kamle district, the culmination of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed at the government higher secondary school in Raga. Speakers included DC Adong Pertin, ADC Atin Padung, MS Dr Nani Tarang, CI Ige Lollen, and TGT Kabak Tagi.
The 138 Bn CRPF based in Senki View here observed the day with the theme ‘Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises’.
Battalion Commandant Harvinder Singh Kales said that the day is observed on 26 June every year to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving a world free of drug abuse.
The Arunachalee Alumni of Delhi-NCR, in collaboration with the Arunachal Students’ Union, Delhi and the NSS unit of the Dera Natung Government College organised an awareness programme at the Zero Point Tinali here.
The NSS unit presented a street play to create awareness against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
Senior alumnus and organising chairman Dr Nani Taman Jose and others spoke on the occasion, during which former minister Bida Taku administered the no-drug pledge to all present.
In Tezu, the Lohit district administration, in coordination with the tax, excise & narcotics department, took out a procession before holding a seminar on drug abuse at Amik Ringya Hall to mark the day.
The procession saw the participation of departmental heads, administrative officers, students and teachers, sports associations, PRI members, GBs and police.
The Care Me Home De-addiction-cum-Rehabilitation Centre based in Charju in Tirap district, in collaboration with the APDDAS observed the day. Thirteen inmates of the rehabilitation centre displayed a skit on the benefits of the rehab centre and their changed lifestyle after recovery.
Bari-Basip CO Nekong Perme, Khonsa PS OC Inspector Hangrang Bangsia and Maj VS Shekhawat of the 6 Assam Rifles attended the programme.
Meanwhile, a three-day interstate awareness campaign on drug issues, organised by the recovery club of Mother’s Vision, ended here with the observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The day was also observed in West Siang, Upper Siang, Changlang, Leparada and other districts with various programmes. (With inputs from DIPROs)
