Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUNE 26
Manipur today observed the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Imphal where Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai, Principal Secretary Social Welfare SK Dev Verman, SS Chabbra OSD Social Welfare, National President FINGODAP Manipur Chapter Dr A Jayantakumar and Director Social Welfare Dr Rangitabali Waikhom attended as Chief Guest, President and Guests of Honour respectively.
Meanwhile Congress MLAs N Biren and RK Anand jointly flagged off a rally in connection with the observance of International Day against Drug abuse and illicit trafficking at palace gate here.The Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam accompanied by MLAs Biren and Anand attended the All Manipur Anti-Drug Association sponsored International Day against Drug abuse and Illicit Trafficking observation at Iboyaima Sumang leela Shanglen in Imphal.
Imphal based Women Action for Development and Human Rights Initiative have also jointly organised International day in support of victims of torture 2014 at Manipur Press Club in Imphal today.Meanwhile a day long workshop held in connection with the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit trafficking here has recommended to integrate rehabilitation of drug users and treatment in the state health policy besides pursuing the Department of Social Welfare to present the draft of health policy.
Manipur based NGO Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) organised the workshop at Manipur Press Club here as part of global campaign on ‘Support Don’t punish’,also recomended a proposal for a state level workshop on the response to drug use.It also resolves to document the impact of criminalisation of drug users on public health and to engage law enforcement agencies to partner in addressing the challenges in delivering harm reduction services.
Professor MC Arun of Anthropology Department, Manipur University, Joint Director Abhiram Mongjam of Manipur State AIDS control society, General Secretary Habibula of Anjuman Islahi Muasirah, a faith based anti drug organisation, Advocate Hemanta also spoke as resource persons in the day’s workshop which aims to generate a dialogue between different stakeholders in deriving a recommendation towards a humane approach.
Later a discussion on importance of social issues, roles to be played by different government departments such as Social welfare, health, youth affairs etc and all the non-government organisations’ involvement in decision making marked the day’s observation.
