Yoga and spirituality menu lifts spirit of drug recoveries
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2008: Drug addiction and Yoga may appear to be world apart at first glance.

But the combination of the two has proved to be Manna from Heaven for a group of drug users who participated in a 15-day treatment programme which concluded today.

'At first, it seems ridiculous when asked to sit still and meditate with our minds throbbing from the pain of drug withdrawal syndrome.

But slowly we realise how it calms down our senses', said one of the drug users who participated in the 'Low-cost community based drug treatment camp' held at Mayai Lambi College, Yumnam Huidrom.

Camp participants at a yoga session

First of its kind in the State, the camp was organised under the UNODC Project IND/181 and conducted by the Integrated Women and Children Development Centre (IWCDC), Thangmeiband Yummam Leikai, which is one of the implementing partners of the project in Imphal West district, in collaboration with Youth Unity and Development Organisation (YUDO), Yumnam Huidrom, a local youth club.

Networking partners like the local women group 'Meira Paibis', RIAC partners and community members have also extended their co-operation in conducting sensitisation programmes towards the success of the camp.

Besides the normal drug treatment regimen of detoxification and rehabilitation process through cognitive-behavioural therapies like knowledge sharing inputs, group discussion, games and sports activities, skill development and counselling sessions with the clients as well as with their family members, an advance course on the Art of Living and a spiritual discourse on Bhagavad Gita have been included as an innovative aspect of the camp.

Team leader of IWCDA-Joint UN Program: Project IND/181 Rosul Sagolsem explained that inclusion of an Art of Living course for six days and a spiritual discourse on Bhagavad Gita aims to uplift the spirit of the campers in overcoming the drug withdrawal pain.

The level of motivation and conviction among the drug users in giving up the drug habit may also be enhanced through Yoga and meditation as it awakens the inner self, Rosul said.

Secretary of IWCDC Annie Mangsatabam said that the conduct of the camp in pure vegetable menu free of nicotine with no movies for recreation or relaxation was a challenge and even the campers revolted.

But changes and the glow seen on their faces at the end of the camp has shown that the efforts have not gone waste.

It is informed that the camp held at Yumnam Huidrom since November 29 was the first of two planned under the project and the second similar camp would be conducted very soon.

Although a short valedictory function had been conducted at the camp site yesterday with Principal of Mayai Lambi College W Pishakmacha as chief guest, president of YUDO Y Birmangol as functional president and in-charge of RIAC partner (Voluntary Service CentreMayang Imphal) S Manihar as guest of honour, the camp formally concluded with a field visit programme for the campers and the volunteers at IWCDC where they witnessed the drug treatment facilities available at its Shine De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre and get the opportunity of listening to the spiritual discourse.

It is said that some of the campers would be referred to ICTC and other health cadre service centres for further rehabilitation process.