SHILLONG: The Khasi Students’ Union Mawprem circle has expressed concern over the sudden spurt in drug addiction among the youths of Mawprem.
In a statement, the KSU said on Wednesday that it has tied up with the NGO, Manbha Foundation to create awareness among the students against the dangers posed by the use of drugs.
Manbha Foundation is a voluntary organisation which provides help to those addicted to drugs. The NGO also helps the affected to be rehabilitated besides providing awareness to the youths about the ill effects of drugs so that they can lead a normal life.
An “awareness campaign on the ill effects of drug abuse” was held in three schools in the area– Sein Raij Secondary School, Mawprem Presbyterian Secondary School and Mawprem Modern Higher Secondary School, recently.
The KSU said that the aim of the organisation in felicitating the programme in the schools with the help of Manbha Foundation was to make students of class 7 to class 12 aware of the various ill effects of drugs.
The KSU said that it had witnessed the plight of many youths who had fallen prey to drugs, and what is alarming is that there were some who taught the youngsters how to use drugs.
The KSU said it is trying to stop this menace by conducting awareness programmes with the support of students, parents and teachers.
During the awareness programmes in schools, the resource person from Manbha Foundation, Malsawma Pachuau made the students aware how drugs affect the wellbeing of a person, his/her family and the society as a whole.
He explained to the students how drugs affect the weight of a person, the colour of his/her eyes among others.
According to Pachuau, it is not too late to fight the menace even when there is change in the behaviour pattern of those affected.
He added that it is important for teachers and parents to do something if they observe any changes in the behaviour of the students.
Pachuau said youngsters use drugs due to peer pressure and not with an intention to get addicted.
“When there is overuse, they become dependent on it,” Pachuau said.
According to the KSU, Barry Kharmalki from Manbha Foundation was one of the youths who was addicted to drugs, and now he has been able to rehabilitate himself after a tough struggle.
Barry explained to the youths how he was addicted to drugs and how it affected his personality.
He urged the youths to say no to any kind of peer pressure and added that they should concentrate on their studies.
