A one-day discourse cum meeting on ‘Developing HIV and Harm Reduction Policy Champions among Political Leaders, Pop Stars, Journalists, YouTubers and Religious leaders’ in Manipur was held at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal on Friday.
The event was jointly organised by Nirvana Foundation and India HIV/AIDS Alliance, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, commandant of 2nd Battalion Manipur Rifles Victoria Yengkhom highlighted that a feasible practical solution was vital to tune down the diverse menace of drugs at all strata of the society.
“We must do everything we can to protect the youths and various communities from the harmful reach of drugs and its associated illnesses,” she said.
She stated that controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS and combating the rise in drug consumption among youths were two of the primary issues in Manipur which needed to be addressed properly.
Neglecting such issues using the crisis as an excuse is not acceptable, she added.
She stressed the need for concrete action to initiate harm reduction among drug users in Manipur and maintained that we must strive collectively to control such divergence.
“We must also strive to rectify societal stereotypes associated with drug users and people living with HIV/AIDS,” she said.
Secretary of Nirvana Foundation Sobhana Sorokhaibam highlighted that the foundation was established in 2006 to combat the spread of drug menace and its associated diseases.
But only NGOs alone cannot take on this task, she added.
She pointed out that not a single political party had not included a streamlined policy for drug users which showed their disregard for the people affected by the menace.
“They deserved all the rights guaranteed under the constitution as they are also rightful citizens of this nation”, she said.
She further noted that social media was one of the key tools which drastically changed peoples’ perspective of the drug using community and aid in eradicating the issue of drugs in Manipur.
President of Editors Guild Manipur Khogendra Khomdram, president of All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU) Bijoy Kakchingtabam, prior drug users, youtubers, artiste among others were present at the event.
