KHLIEHRIAT, Aug 8: A weeklong Football-Based Intervention Programme themed “Goal Beyond Addiction” concluded at Khliehriat East Futsal Ground on Thursday. Organized by the District Social Welfare Office and the Deputy Commissioner’s Office of East Jaintia Hills, in collaboration with the OST Centre and funded by the DMF Scheme, the initiative aimed to aid recovery addicts through sport.
Six teams of recovery addicts participated in the futsal tournament, with the Blue Team winning the final against the Purple Team. The event concluded with a pledge for a drug-free life and the distribution of trophies and certificates to participants.
Chief Guest Violet Lyngdoh, MDC Rymbai-Khliehriat, while speaking on the prevalence of drug abuse in the district, stressed the need for collaborative efforts of all stakeholders including the district administration, community leaders and associations to combat against the menace of drugs and also urged the students gathered at the programme to stay away from any bad influences from their peer groups and further stated that once addicted, it becomes difficult for individuals to recover.