Imphal, Jun 20: Setting the ball get rolling for the 7th International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2006 on June 26, Manipur Chapter of the Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations Working on Drug Abuse Prevention (FINGODAP) with the support of the Social Welfare Department and Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) organised a State level painting competition on the theme 'Drugs are not child's play' at Kakching today.

In all, 53 students coming from different parts of the State took part in the competition held in two categories at the conference hall of Representatives of Lois (ROL).

The event was hosted by Kha-Manipur Yoga and Nature Cure Association, Kakching, which is a unit member of FINGODAP, Manipur Chapter.

Retired ZEO P Nimai, retired headmaster N Kunjababu and principal of Victory High School M Mukundo inaugurated the painting competition as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

In their addresses, the dignitaries stressed on the need to sensitise the youngsters on the harmful effect abusing drugs and other pharmaceutical substances.

Director of Social Welfare A Nabachandra, who also spoke at the occasion pointed out that a collective effort is essential to fight the menace of drug abuse in Manipuri society.

It is in keeping with this idea that Social Welfare Department has joined hand with MACS and various NGOs working in the field of drug abuse prevention, the officer noted.

On the other hand, as in the past, in connection with the observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a week-long campaign has begun from today under the joint aegis of SASO and SASO Self Help Groups Networking Forum.

The campaign was flagged from Manipur Press Club here.

The campaign being launched with the main objective of encouraging collective participation in the fight against the menace of drug and spreading awareness among the people on the harmfulness and consequences of abusing drugs.

The campaign would continue till June 26. It is the third time that such campaign is being launched by SASO and SASO Self Help Group Networking Forum.

SASO president K Birjit, general secretary L Birendrajit and secretary of SASO Self Help Group Networking Forum O Harikumar attended the flagged off ceremony as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

In interaction programme between the mediapersons and the representatives of the Self Help Groups of the HIV infected persons, drug users, HIV positive women, etc was also organised at the occasion.

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