PASIGHAT, Jul 22: In an effort to eradicate the use of drugs among school children, East Siang Superintendent of  Police Prashant Gautam launched an anti-drugs awareness campaign here on Friday.

 This was done in association with AAUN Foundation and Women Against Social Evil (WASE) which was participated by principals, headmasters of government aided and private schools of Pasighat. All technical and logistic support was extended by the District Director of Secondary Education (DDSE) J Yirang. 

Addressing the academicians, Gautam said:  “We are deeply concerned about the growing drug menace in the district. The rising trend of drug abuse among youth, more particularly amongst the student community, is alarming.”

 He appealed to the teaching community and NGOs to sensitize the students and parents so that they take up a pioneering role in creating an atmosphere where drug abusers and peddlers will have no place in society. He also urged the intellectuals to come forward sharing their experiences and professional expertise in the field to help the police department to draw a blueprint for addressing the issue in an effective manner. 

The SP said that use of drugs or substances may lead to addiction or dependence, serious physical injury (such as damage to kidneys, liver, heart) or psychological harm like hallucination, memory loss or death. In addition to causing death, substance abuse is also responsible for significant morbidity and the treatment of drug addiction creates a tremendous burden on society. 

“Drug abuse also  leads to many kinds of criminal activities. The need of money to buy illegal drugs has driven many youths to earn money easily and they get involved in criminal activities. It is a serious problem amongst school children and controlling it is a major challenge” Gautam added, presenting slides through power point presentation and short screenings. He dealt with different aspects of the drug menace affecting the district and stressed that adequate awareness and preventive measures would be enforced for optimum results. 

 

Retired Indian Air Force ( IAF) officer and Secretary AAUN Foundation Mohonto Pangin stated that according to existing studies, the abuse of alcohol and illicit and prescription drugs continues to be a major health problem and destroying society gradually like termites. He was of the opinion that treatment lies in counselling and providing an atmosphere that helps the addicts to come out of the trap and indulge once again in healthy living. Prevention of substance abuse among adolescents requires awareness of ill effects of drugs and AAUN Foundation would extend all possible help and cooperation, to curb the menace, he said.

Earlier, the WASE General Secretary Jaya Tasung Moyong informed that her NGO has been organizing massive anti-drug awareness programmes involving civil society in the district intending to bring mass awareness about ill effects of drugs and peddling and selling of illegal IMFL educating the people to lead a healthy life. Moyong exhorted the police and other law enforcing agencies to be more vigilant and take strong action against drug peddlers.

 

 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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