SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has put emphasis on the need for counselling centres and clinics to help youths tide over crises.
Sangma was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 1st National Conference organised by the Continuing Institute of Nursing Cell, Woodland Institute of Nursing, in collaboration with St Anthony’s College on the theme ‘Substance, Suicide and Adolescents: Effects of Substance abuse and Suicide in Adolescents’ here on Saturday.
“The idea of counselling centres and clinics must be looked into and the matter will be discussed with the Health Department,” Sangma said and maintained that the government should ensure a support system for youths to handle stress.
Though police are alert on rampant drug abuse, the problem can be addressed through awareness, he added.Substance abuse among youths, including girls, has risen alarmingly in the state and the conference was held to create awareness on its effects.
It was also to identify different types of substances abused and their effects and prevention. It elaborated on the concept of peer pressure and analysed the causes leading to suicidal tendency among youths, help those with suicidal thoughts and correlate the relation between substance abuse and suicidal tendencies.
In 2015, the number of student suicides stood at 8,934 and in the five years leading to 2015, 39,775 students killed themselves.
Addressing the youths present at the conference, Sangma said, “The future of the country and Meghalaya depends on how we channelise your energy. We cannot fight this battle by simply putting various measures to stop flow of different substances in our state. It is time for politicians, academicians, health sector and society to come together to find a way forward to tackle the problem.”
Earlier, Richard B Uriah, Principal of North Liberty Higher Secondary School, told the youths at the conference to stay away from addiction. “Don’t escape from yourself but enjoy yourself,” he added. During the programme, Sangma and other dignitaries released a souvenir of the Woodland Institute of Nursing titled U Mawmer ka jingjop.
