Guwahati: In a bid to combat the menace of substance abuse among the youth and trafficking of narcotic drugs, the Indian Army on Tuesday conducted extensive awareness drives across three Northeastern states on the occasion of the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.’
These events, held in Assam, Manipur and Tripura, aimed at educating the people, especially the youth, on the health and social hazards of narcotic drugs and the importance of a drug-free lifestyle.
In Assam, awareness campaigns were conducted at Tinsukia district’s Phillobari Senior Secondary School, Sivasagar district’s Delehi Borpatra Medium English School and Don Bosco High School & Drug De-addiction Centre.
A total of 27 teachers, 355 students and 25 youth undergoing a rehabilitation programme participated in the events. During the campaigns, lectures were delivered that focused on the theme ‘The evidence is clear: invest in prevention,’ highlighting preventive measures at the grassroots level.
The sessions also stressed the need for coordinated efforts to combat drug trafficking and addiction, aligning with the United Nations’ goal of enhancing global cooperation against drug trafficking.
In Manipur, the Army organised an awareness campaign at Imphal East district’s Moirangpurel High School. The event included a lecture, a poster-making competition and an interactive session with physicians. It was attended by as many as 120 students and seven teachers.
The winners of the poster-making competition were felicitated by the Army personnel. This initiative underscored the Indian Army’s efforts to eradicate drug abuse and promote the overall development and growth of young students.
In Tripura, an awareness campaign was organised at the Agartala Military Station, under the aegis of the Indian Army’s Spear Corps, to mark the day. Lectures were delivered during the event which emphasised on harmful effects of drugs on the users, their families and the society at large.
The event included a medical check-up by a team of medical officers who called for widespread awareness to combat the menace of drug abuse and the illegal activities associated with it.
These initiatives by the Indian Army underscore its commitment to raising awareness and educating the masses about the hazards of drug abuse. The Army continues to play a vital role in empowering the communities and contributing towards a safer and drug-free society.