A webinar on the theme ‘Criminalisation of drug users: A threat to health and social development’ was held on Tuesday.
The event was organised by District Legal Services Authority (DSLA), Imphal West in collaboration with Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) under the aegis of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA).
A joint release stated that president of CoNE RK Nalinikanta attended as the speaker cum resource person of the webinar. It was held with legal services functionaries such as panel lawyers and para-legal volunteers, and representatives of civil bodies working for the welfare of people who use drugs along with other organisations and the general public being the target participants.
The speaker shared how substance abuse refers to hazardous use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and illicit drugs; and how drug addiction is a complex multifactorial health disorder characterised by chronic and relapsing nature that is both preventable and treatable, and not the result of failure, the release stated.
It further stated that the speaker also briefed on other drug-related issues that have impacts on health and society.