International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking observed at Namsai

Publish Date : 26/06/2018

Dy CM, GoAP addressing the gathering

International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed at Namsai.

The Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein called for waging a war against drug addiction to eradicate it from the society. He said that Eastern Arunachal from Longding to Dibang Valley districts is a very prosperous region and the area has huge prospects in tourism, agriculture and horticulture. Potential tourist circuits like Namsai-Parashuramkund-Tezu-Roing-Mayodia and proper road connection gives advantage for the region, he said adding that soon region will have railway and air connectivity too. He said drug menace is posing great threat to the peaceful environment and serenity of the region besides destroying the younger generations.

The DCM claimed that there is a corridor of drug trafficking from Changlang to Namsai, Lohit, Anjaw, Lower Dibang Valley and East Siang districts to western part of Arunachal Pradesh, which needs to be broken.

He lauded the role of community based organizations and the women welfare society of Namsai district for their efforts in eradicating the drug menace from the district by creating drug awareness campaign and running the drug de-addiction centre in the district.

He said that the de-addiction centre at Lathao would be converted into a rehabilitation centre and board members from Guwahati would soon be visiting the centre.

He also cautioned that those who are committing illegal acts with the promotion and selling of banned substances are liable to be booked under the appropriate section of Indian Penal Code.

He called upon the educated youths to avail schemes under CM’s Swalambhan Yojana for entrepreneurship development, and to avail opportunities of government-provided skill development courses and training.
Minister of Agriculture, Dr Mohesh Chai said the government needs to frame a proper policy to address the drug menace and to save the future generations from falling prey to it.

He informed that the state government has already kept fund for alternate crops for poppy cultivation and assured that it will be implemented soon in the opium cultivated districts where people cultivate it as main source of income.
He lauded one Tewa Manpoong, who was once addicted to drugs but recovered; now working and helping the addicted people for their de-addiction and rehabilitation. He appealed such people to come forward and be an example for others to follow in the society.

Parliamentary Secretary for Planning & Investment, Chau Zingnu Namchoom said that the districts under eastern region have become gateway to drug trafficking. He called upon the NGOs, CBOs and educated youths to come forward and fight against this menace united. He informed that a committee has been formed for implementation of budget announcement and soon alternate cropping for poppy cultivation will also be implemented in Namsai district.

Commissioner (Tax & excise), Anirudh Singh informed that the UN General Assembly has decided to observed 26 June as International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking every year to make world drug abuse free.
Among others, Deputy Commissioner, Namsai R K Sharma, Assistant Commissioner (Tax & Excise), Tanon Tatak, representatives of Namsai Women Welfare Society, NGOs, CBOs and de-addicted persons also spoke on the occasion and voiced to fight the drug abuse and illicit trafficking unitedly.

A rally by government officials, members of NGOs, CBOs and students was also carried out in Namsai Township in the morning to mark the occasion.