Imphal, Jun 23: Several resource persons speaking on the second anniversary function of the Women's Association for Civic Action Kangleipak (WACAK) at GM hall today stressed on the important role of parents in checking drug abuse by the youths of the State.

Addressing the function, president of Leimakol MC Rita reminded that women of the State have been struggling day and night not only to control drug abuse but also to safeguard human rights from security forces.

On the other hand some women are indulging in immoral activities to earn money while some are involved in illegal activities just to pay for drugs to which they are addicted, observed Rita.

An invisible and insurmountable fence separate these two groups of women, she noted while calling upon all to identify and resolve the conflicts of interest between these two groups.

Assistant secretary of HERICOUN, Mutum Churamani attributed the mass scale drug abuse in Manipur to the armed conflict between insurgents and security forces.

As such, it is quite relevant to finds ways and means to disentangle the people of Manipur from this all encompassing conflicts, he maintained.

Th Ramani of All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Samaj recalled the struggle of women to contain drug abuse in the State since a long time back.

She said that the women's movement against drug abuse started way back in 1960 when men used to kill under influence of drugs and intoxicants, when husbands used to harass their own wives.

Addressing the function as a presidium member, Khumanleima of International Manipuri Mothers' Association asserted that many women involved in fighting drug abuse, ironically, use intoxicants like pan, liquor etc adding that they must give up their habit before waging a decisive war against drug abuse.

She asserted that all women activities should first persuade their husbands, sons, daughters to give up all kinds of intoxicants and drugs and they themselves should stay away far from such intoxicants.

Khumanleima further maintained prohibition of drug abuse should not be enforced forcibly adding that due process should be followed as it takes a long period for a drug addict to give his/her habit.

General secretary of WACAK Bidyarani revealed that 58 branches have been opened in different places and has undertaken several drives against drug abuse besides organising 53 awareness programmes on the adverse consequences of drug abuse.

Basically constituted to fight the large scale use of drug, liquor, ganja and other intoxicants by the youths of the State as All Manipur Women Action Committee, it was later christened Women's Association for Civic Action Kangleipak on June 23, 2004.The second anniversary function of WACAK was also attended by many other representatives of different women societies.

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