Moreh, Aug 19: Social stigma and discrimination attached to drug users slowly evaporates once they give up the habit and lead a normal life with full responsibility towards themselves, their families and the society at large, according to former drug users who have finally found the purpose of their lives.

Sharing his experiences and travails of life during the 15th anniversary of Kripa Foundation cum re-union of the ex-clients held under the theme of �Bliss of Recovery� at the Kangshang of Khuman Lampak here today, one Moti of Khagempalli said abuse of drug not only destroy the physical and mental well-being of a person but also resulted in losing the moral character of the person.

Moti, who has been rehabilitated and leading a normal life today, recounted that his family members had even wanted him to die while he was using drug.

Every person in the society looked down on us with suspicion and distrust and did not want their children to mix around with us, he said, adding that such discriminatory attitude sometimes led him to mull over committing suicide.

"But after having undergone treatment at Kripa Foundation, I have been able to kick my drug habit and become a productive person along with regaining the confidence of other persons who had earlier scorned at me, Moti said, exuding elation.

Kh Lukhoi of Nagamapal, another rehabilitated drug user said people get into the habit of abusing drugs due to various factors including bad company and social environment.

He strongly advocated that beating up drug addicts by the police, pumping bullets on their legs by the underground activists or parading in the public to humiliate them would not help in any way in curing drug addiction.

Instead of taking recourse to such extreme steps, the addicts should be given proper counselling so as to motivate them to give up dependence on drugs and other pharmaceutical substances, he noted.

Setting himself as an example, Lukhoi said drug abusers should give up the notion that they would not be able to stay away from addiction on drugs.

Drug addiction is a disease and there is a cure for it, he said, while pointing the importance of giving support to the drug addicts in giving up the habit and undergoing treatment at a rehabili tation centre from the side of the family members, friends and society at large.

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