Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykisan on Sunday stated that development will be meaningless if the youths, who are the future pillars, are drowning in the ocean of illicit drugs and psychoactive substances.
Addressing the 11th foundation day of Student's Union of Kangleipak (SUK) at Meipa Banquet Hall in Imphal East, MLA Joykisan said that drug abuse among youth is one of the most critical issues which the society is facing. Eradicating drug menace and saving the youths from getting influence to illicit drugs is the urgent need of the hour, he added.
Stating that while the BJYM have actively taken up drive to seize illicit drugs and CADA to seize liquor, the Excise Department has remained defunct, he said. "We need to find out what is wrong with the Excise department and others," he stated.
MLA Joykisan also stated that the chief minister has been taking up initiatives to eradicate drug menace by waging a war against drugs but that the mission is not completely successful till date.
In this regard, he apprised the stakeholders to give healthy suggestions and opinion to strengthen the war against drugs and pin point out the loopholes so that the matter can be forwarded to the chief minister.
Pointing out that the sources of law enforcing agencies are made to sell drugs to remain as a spy in the world of drug business, Joykisan said, "There is a big question on how sincere those sources are."
The MLA called on all the civil and student bodies to support the mission of war against drugs to make a better future and healthy society.
Speaking about the involvement of students in various state issues besides concentrating on their academic career, Joykishan said it is a sign that something is wrong and the society is not going well.
He, however, advised the students to stick to the laws of land while taking up any movement as everyone is bound by the rules of law.
The MLA also expressed his concern on the stigma faced by the users after their rehabilitation period.
He said most of the users, after ending their rehabilitation period, are ill-treated by the family members and society thereby leading them to start using drugs again.
"They should be treated equally like everyone," he said, further stressing the need to introduce a livelihood generation programme during the post rehabilitation period.
The function was also attended by chairman of COHSEM Ch Sarat, president of CCSK Jeetendra Ningomba, president of SUK Dhanakumar Ningthouja, among others.
