Guwahati: Members of the Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) staged a protest outside the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) office at Lamphelpat in Imphal West on Monday, demanding the introduction of drug use prevention education in the school curriculum.
Holding placards and raising slogans, the protesters urged the authorities to incorporate dedicated lessons on substance abuse prevention for students from Classes V to XII. The federation also called for the publication of specialised textbooks and the inclusion of life skills recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the curriculum.
Speaking to reporters, MSF president Hijam Roshan expressed concern over the growing drug menace in Manipur, alleging that narcotics are increasingly being used to undermine the state’s youth.
He said the rising incidence of drug abuse and trafficking has had a damaging impact on young people, affecting their sense of responsibility towards society and the nation.
Roshan noted that despite the enforcement of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the problem of drug trafficking and substance abuse continues to escalate, underscoring the need for preventive education at the school level.
The student body argued that educating children about the dangers of drug abuse from an early age would play a crucial role in protecting future generations and strengthening society.
MSF urged the authorities to incorporate drug prevention education into the new curriculum frameworks being developed under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The federation also warned that it would intensify its agitation if the state and central governments fail to act on its demand. It appealed to both governments to formulate and implement a comprehensive curriculum on drug use prevention without delay.