SHILLONG/JOWAI: The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – a United Nations International Day against drug abuse and the illegal drug – was on Wednesday observed across the state.
With this year’s theme being ‘Health for Justice. Justice for Health’, Moore Wellson Youth Training Centre Co-operative Society Ltd. Qualapatty, Shillong along with the youths of Church of God (Meghalaya & Assam) organised a programme at the JN Sports Complex in Polo with an aim to spread awareness among the youth on the negative effects of drugs and other addictions.
MDC Mawlai Teibor Pathaw, attended the programme as the chief guest along with Rev.Dr. OL Snaitang as the guest of honor.
Pastors of Church of God (M&A) were also present including students from Nora Evalyne Higher Secondary School Qualapatty and JJM Nichols-Roy College Qualapatty. A football match amongst the youth of the Church was also held as part of the programme.
Meanwhile, parental support to children affected by drug abuse was stressed during a programme held at Lion Mission Dorbar Hall in Jowai on Wednesday.
The programme was organised by the District Legal Service Authority, Jowai in collaboration with the office of the Superintendent of Police, Jowai, Social Welfare Department and Mihmyntdu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA), Jowai.
Superintendent of Police Lakador Syiem spoke about the NDPS Act 1985.
“The Act is so stringent that if a person is booked under this act he faces a punishment which goes on for years and there are different punishments for different offences under this Act. However addicts who volunteer for treatment are provided immunity under section 64 A of the Act,” Syiem said.
Syiem also advised students to stay away from all forms of drugs and to aim high in by making smart decisions.
Project Director of Mihmyntdu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA) Dr JN Shullai spoke about the importance for parents to spend quality time with their children and to build close relationships in order to protect them from any form of addiction.
District Social Welfare Officer J Synnah called for the need to help prevent new drug users.
