Drug awareness campaigns alone cannot mitigate the problem of drug abuse in Manipur, State Social Welfare director Ngangom Uttam said in Imphal on Tuesday.
Uttam was speaking at the first foundation day of Kanglei People against Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (KANGLEIPANAS) observed at Manipur Press Club on Tuesday.
The director further stated that the structure of the modern family has weakened the social ties between children and parents. As such, the communication gap has widened, leading to unwanted deviations in life, he added.
Uttam highlighted that family has a pivotal role in preparing the child for realities of life. He pointed out that families should impart real world knowledge of how to cope with the challenges of life.
He maintained that addiction is a disease which should not be ostracized but treated.
Society should discern de-addiction centres as treatment centres where people are rid of their addictive illness,” he said.
The director pointed out that present drug-based organisations have failed to maintain smooth functioning of the organisational structure.
He highlighted that under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan – demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction are the three key areas the government is targeting to combat substance abuse.
“Demand reduction falls under the purview of the Social Welfare department while police scans supply reduction,” Uttam said.
The director further exhorted CSOs and student bodies of the state to collectively strive in mitigating the issue of drug menace in Manipur and appealed educational institutes to organise programmes by calling in experts.
KANGLEIPANAS president Elangbam Ibempishak, former president AMADA, L Tomba Meitei, former secretary AMADA Md TajuddinTajuddin and president of Kripa Society Hijam Dinesh among others attended the observation.
