Imphal, September 15: Health Minister L Nandakumar formally inaugurated the month-long Free Drug De-addiction Residential Camp at the premise of Moidangpok Project Office of People for Animal today.

In his address as the chief guest of the inaugural programme of the camp being conducted under the aegis of Committee for Drug Abuse Prevention (Codap) the Minister classified youths between 15 to 20 years of age as the most vulnerable group likely to be besieged by the menace of drug and alcohol abuse.

Taking serious note of several youngsters entrapped in socially harmful habit of heroin, alcohol, opium and drug abuse (tablets) Nandakumar called upon the society to contribute their mite in eradicating the menace.

Highlighting prevailing drug abuse scenario in the State MACS� Project Director G Binod Kumar, who graced the occasion as guest of honour said chief factor for high prevalence of drug (heroin) abuse in the State is close affinity of Manipur to the infamous Golden Triangle and the fact that the State is used by drug smugglers as transportation point.

Under such circumstances preventing youths from substance abuse and checking spread of HIV/AIDS has posed an even greater challenge, he said.

The MACS official also revealed of an earlier survey report detecting nearly 20,000 persons out of 1.20 lakh screened to be HIV positive and speculated the figure to have doubled at the current juncture.

He also prescribed persuasion and proper counselling of drug users to abandon the offence rather than socially ostracizing them.

Presenting the presidential address, Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya expressing confidence of the camp participants to lead a drug-free life after the camp also desired that the campers spread the message on importance and necessity of staying away from harmful drugs in order to preserve social tranquillity.

Narcotics and Border Affairs SP L Sushil kumar (IPS) also attended the programme as guest of honour.

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