The National Human Rights Commission sponsored a day-long State level 'Awareness Programme on Drug Abuse Prevention', jointly organised by the Manipur University and the Department of University and Higher Education, Government of Manipur at D.M. College of Teacher Education, Imphal on the 18th February, 2016.
Representing the Commission, Shri J.S. Kochher, Joint Secretary (T&R), as the Guest of Honour, said that the issue of drug addiction is a challenge before every State of the country. Although, the Union Ministry of Social Justice has special schemes and programmes for the prevention of drug abuse, it is the duty of all stakeholders to join in creating awareness about these schemes and the need to prevent this menace. He said that substance abuse has affected human rights in every aspect. He particularly lauded the role of youths from Manipur, who brought laurels to the country through sports and thus reminded youths to emulate their deeds by taking part in sports and other healthy activities.
Shri P. Vaiphei, Commissioner, Higher and Technical Education, Government of Manipur said that the increasing drug users in the State of Manipur, especially among the students, posed a grave danger. He appreciated the initiative of the National Human Rights Commission in the area of drug abuse prevention by organising such awareness programmes, which he said, will prove to be useful in the long run. Prof. H. Nandakumar Sarma, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University also addressed the gathering.
The participants included 450 students from University of Manipur and different colleges located in Imphal and adjoining districts of Manipur. They were addressed by several resource persons coming from the background of social and medical sciences. They included, among others, Padam Shri Dr. Jayanta Kumar Singh, Director, RRTC - North-East, Prof. N. Lokendra Singh, Dean of School of Social Sciences, University of Manipur and Dr. Angomacha Singh, Senior Psychologist, District Hospital, Bishnupur, Manipur.