Schools and youths of Pungro informed on HIV/AIDS, substance abuse

Dimapur, Oct. 28 (EMN): The Private Schools Teachers’ Association Pungro (PSTAP), understanding the urgent need to create awareness on HIV/AIDS and substance abuse with the youth and school students, collaborated with Kripa Foundation, Nagaland and organised a seminar on health awareness on Oct. 28 at GHSS hall, Pungro under the theme ‘Give Sight and Save Life’.
The main objective of the awareness programme was intended to serve as a primary preventive measure and also to make the targeted audience be informed about the basics of HIV/AIDS and substance abuse. According to press release the objective was derived due to a greater prevalence rate of 22.80% in Pungro Sub-Division as per the 2016-17 annual detection report of NSACS.
Stressing on the importance of understanding health and social issues and the guest of honour urged the participants to take a responsible decision. He also emphasized on the need of curricular education in this competitive world and encouraged them to excel not only in their studies but also to inculcate responsible behaviour and become a productive member of the society.
Kiusumew also lauded the PSTAP for organizing such programme which according to him is “absolutely important as education is not only about academic excellence.”
Resource person, program co-ordinator of Kripa Foundation Ketho Angami spoke on HIV/AIDs and substance abuse. He made a brief presentation on HIV/AIDS in Nagaland. He also highlighted the nature of HIV which is described as a blood borne virus and is the causative organism that leads to AIDS. He mentioned about the four major routes of transmission and also focussing on the concept of window period.
He said AIDS is a disease which is not curable but manageable though there is no vaccination till date. Ketho also informed on the medication called Anti Retro Virals (ARV), a lifelong treatment which helps to suppress and contain the virus. He also shared some HIV/AIDS preventive measures.
On substance abuse with a key focus on school students and youths in regard to what is known as “gateway drugs”. He lamented that many youngsters are into drugs like tobacco, nicotine and alcohol and cautioned that if taken frequently will lead to abuse of other harder substance in the coming years. His key message to the audience is to abstinence from the intake of such habits which serve as a primary preventive measure.
Highlighting various types of drugs namely alcohol, opium pharmaceuticals drugs and heroin, Ketho mentioned that the abuse of such drugs affects all round development of an individual.
Meanwhile, PSTAP in a press release suggested the NSACS/Health and Family Welfare department to understand the need of conducting such programme in the coming days.
The programme was attended by Public Forum Pungro sub-division, teachers, youths and students numbering more than 300 from LFS, around Mt. Saramati School, Christian High School, Pungro, Mt. Horeb Baptist School and Govt. Higher Secondary School Pungro.