Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 403/15

UNION MINISTER INAUGURATES WORKSHOP ON PREVENTION OF SUBSTANCE (DRUGS) ABUSE

Shillong, June 15, 2015: Spreading awareness and sensitization among youth on the menace of drugs is the need of the hour, stated Shri. Thaawarchand Gehlot, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment while inaugurating the first Regional Level Workshop on Prevention of Substance (Drugs) Abuse today at the State Convention Centre, Shillong.

In his inaugural address, Shri. Gehlot stated that the objective of organizing the Workshop in the North East Region is to equip the participants with the necessary expertise and knowledge tools to spread awareness among different sections of society on drugs and its ill effects. He informed that through these workshops, the Ministry is trying to have more outreach programmes that educate the youth on the negative effects of substance abuse.

Shri. Gehlot informed that since last year, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had undertaken various measures to strengthen the efforts on drug demand reduction. As part of this, a National Toll Free Help Line Number (1800-11-0031) was launched in January 2015 to assist alcoholics and drug dependent persons and also to help victims of drug abuse. The Ministry is also in the process of finalizing the first National Policy on Drug Demand Reduction.

Meghalaya Minister for Social Welfare, Smti. Deborah C Marak said that the problem of drug abuse is a matter of serious concern and the Government is taking up various steps to address this issue. She also highlighted the initiatives taken by the State Government to address the problems of drug abuse and requested the Ministry to sanction Treatment Centres specifically for women as there are reports for female drug users in the State and also urged for a timely release of grants to NGOs.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Vijay Sampla said that drug abuse and illicit trafficking continue to have a negative impact on development and stability across the world. Addiction to drugs and alcohol not only affects the health of an individual, but also the basic foundation of society, that is, the family, he said. The menace of drug abuse and alcoholism is a matter of serious concern and requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders to combat it, he said adding that NSS volunteers also have an important role to play to spread the message to every nook and corner of the State through awareness campaigns and street plays.

The Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, Smti. Anita Agnihotri said that drug addiction not only affects the individual but also degrades the moral values and hampers the growth of the country. She informed that as per reports, drug abuse is rapidly increasing especially in Border States of North, Northwest and Northeast which serve as transit zones for drug traffickers. In such conditions, youth are becoming highly vulnerable to drug addiction and felt it imperative that NGOs and the society at large join hands to curb this menace.

The Workshop is the first of its kind where representatives from key agencies such as the State Governments, Regional Resources & Training Centres (RRTCs), Integrated Rehabilitation and De-Addiction Centres for Addicts, NGOs and NSS share their experiences in combating drug abuse and developing an action plan for the future. The three days workshop is being organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Meghalaya and the National Service Scheme (NSS), Shillong Unit. The inaugural function was also attended by the State Chief Secretary, Shri. P B O Warjri, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Smti. Ghazala Meenai and senior officials of the Ministry and the State and NSS volunteers from different schools and colleges were also present at the function.