Imphal, October 19: An anti-drug campaign which is to be launched State-wide with the underlying message of �healthy youths for a healthy society� kicked off today at Imphal College.

The campaign is being organised by the Special Task Force, Anti-Drug Campaign of Democratic Students� Alliance of Manipur (DESAM).

Chairman of Manipur Pollution Control Board and MLA N Biren Singh and DESAM president L Romesh Meetei were chief guest and president of the function which was also graced by Imphal College Principal P Nalini Devi and DM College Science Principal Th Bedamani as guests of honour.

Speaking at the occasion, Biren noted that the problem of drug abuse has become a serious social issue and said concerted efforts would be required to curb the problem.

"Drug abuse is no more just a problem of the addict and his immediate family.

But with the number of people, especially the youths who have fallen prey to drug habit, it has become a big social issue", he said.

While observing that there is the need to find out the root cause of rampant drug abuse among the youths in Manipur, the MLA noted that lack of employment opportunities among the educated youths and the prevailing unsettling situation in the State are also responsible for the present problem.

This problem could not be rooted out only by the Government alone and a concerted efforts of all the people, civil societies, student bodies would be required, he said, while lauding the steps that have been taken up by DESAM in this regard.

In his presidential address, Romesh pointed out that the State Government should formulate a policy to curb/ prevent drug abuse in Manipur effectively.

The State Government should also take a definite stand on stopping smuggling and peddling of drugs, he added.

Around 30 percent of the youths in Manipur who are between the age group of 15 to 25 are into the habit of abusing banned pharmaceutical substances.

In some localities, more than 70 to 80 percent of the youths are into this habit, he maintained.

Principal of DM College of Science Th Bedamani, who attended the function as one of the guests of honour stressed on the need to include the topics related to harmfulness of drug abuse in the academic syllabus from lower classes to university level.

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