Workshop on Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse Amongst Children

Imphal, March 09th 2021 :

Workshop on Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse Amongst Children at Chingmeirong

A one day State Level Workshop on Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse Amongst Children was held at Amity Hall, Adimjati Shiksha Ashram Hall, Chingmeirong, Imphal West on 9th March, 2021. The programme was jointly organized by Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) and Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR), Government of Manipur.

Smt. RK Sumitra Devi, Member, Manipur Commision for Protection of Child Rights gave the welcome speech. Shri Phurailatpam Manibabu Sharma, Chairperson, MCPCR gave the keynote address where he deliberated upon the drug menace amongst children in the context of Manipur and highlighted the diversification of drugs and drug users in the past with the present. He also stated that minimization of drug abuse, if not for total eradication, is possible with the collective efforts of all stakeholders with selfless dedications.

In a speech given by Shri Ngangom Uttam Singh, Director, Social Welfare Department, Manipur, he highlighted the roles and activities of the department in tacking the issues of drugs and deliberated on the importance of resource mobilization. He also cited the need to create awareness amongst children with fact-based evidences along with career guidance/counseling.

Deputy Member Secretary of Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) Shri Sadananda Sorokhaibam, MJS also deliberated upon the importance of legal knowledge and the need of mass awareness in tackling drug menace amongst children. He also highlighted laws relating to drugs under NDPS Acts and legal provisions on rehabilitations.

Panel discussion sessions of the workshop were moderated by Smt. Annie Manggsatabam, Secretary, MCPCR; Dr. Aheibam Jayanta Kumar, Director, SLCA and Shri Sadananda Sorokhaibam, MJS, Deputy Member Secretary MASLSA respectively.

Workshop on Prevention of Drugs and Substance Abuse Amongst Children at Chingmeirong

Esteemed speakers, Shri K. Pradipkumar, Former Member, MCPCR gave insights on “Issues of children with Psycho-active substance in Manipur”;
Shri W. Basu Singh, MPS, Superintendent of Police, NAB, Manipur spoke on “Intervention by law enforcement agencies on supply reduction”;
Dr. R.K. Lenin, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, RIMS spoke on “Prevention and intervention of children with drugs and substance abuse: A medical perspective”;
Smt. Konsam Saroja, Deputy Director (CP), Social Welfare Department also spoke on “Rehabilitation of children victims of drugs and substance abuse – institutional mechanisms and support.” ;
Km. Romila Akham, Panel Advocate, MASLSA gave insights on “Legal Aid for children victims of drugs and substance abuse” and
Shri. L. Megharaj Sharma, Member, MCPCR gave insights on “Child Rights and De-Addiction centres”.

Several recommendations such as opening of child-friendly treatment and transgender rehabilitation centres, inclusion of awareness on drugs in school syllabus, development of Witness Protection Schemes, etc. were adopted at the end of the session.

The programme was also streamed live on the official facebook page of Manipur SLSA and you tube channel of KhutSem Live for wider outreach and coverage. The panelists also addressed queries from viewers from the mentioned social media platforms.

(Sorokhaibam Sadananda)
Deputy Member Secretary,
Manipur State Legal Services Authority
ADR Building, Lamphel Court Complex,
Imphal West - 795004