Churachandpur: A one-day workshop on the ‘multi-faceted dimension in fighting drug menace’ was held yesterday at District Training Centre (DTC) Hall, Tuibong in Churachandpur district of Manipur.

Justice M.V Muralidaran, Judge, High Court of Manipur and Executive Chairman, Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) and Smt. Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Registrar General, High Court of Manipur were the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.

The workshop was organized by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Churachandpur in association with the Churachandpur District Bar Association under the sponsorship of Manipur State Legal Services Authority.

Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural session, Justice M.V Muralidaran lamented that due to the problem of drug abuse, society is not only susceptible to other forms of crimes such as sexual abuse, child and women trafficking, domestic violence, etc. but also exposed widely to the issues of HIV infection, social stigmatization, and victimization. Convergence of the activities of the various stakeholders at appropriate stages, be it awareness, consultations, workshops, treatment measures, advocacy, study and research, capacity building, etc., as a coordinated mechanism is the need of the hour, he added.

The chief guest also informed that a comprehensive scheme – The NALSA (Legal Services to the victims of Drug Abuse and Eradication of Drug Menace) Scheme, 2015 has been formed for all the District Legal Services Authorities in the state. The formation of Anti-Drug Club in schools and a working mechanism involving all stakeholders including the village level authorities, NGOs, and other legal service officials is one provision of the scheme which can be implemented in letter and spirit, he added.

Smt. Golmei Gaiphulshillu added that the government is implementing the Scheme of Assistance for the prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse which aims at providing a whole range of services including awareness generation, identification, treatment, and rehabilitation of addicts through de-addiction and rehabilitation centers. She also informed that the scheme provides for the involvement of NGOs and CBOs in this regard.

In the technical session, Shri Khaikhopau Ngaihte, ADC stressed the need for counseling services in every educational institution to fight the drug menace in Churachandpur. He stated that the district administration has been leaving no stone unturned in the fight against drugs.

Other speakers included Ms. Hasby Haokip, Addl SP (IUCAW),  Lamkhanpau Tonsing, District & Sessions Judge; SorokhaibamSadananda, Chief Judicial Magistrate; Ojesh Mutum, Member Secretary of MASLSA; Joseph Pauline Kamson, DC/Pherzawl, Col. Ashish Mishra, 27 Sector AR; Dr. Kimngaihching Simte, CMO/Ccpur.

DLOs, members of Churachandpur District Bar Association and other judicial officers, officers from police and Assam Rifles, Advocates, and civil society organization leaders attended the workshop.