Corresponding
Borguli, October 16: The Borgulian Service Union (BSU) here in East Siang District, together with the cluster of SHGs, Siang Ane Village Organization, held an awareness meeting on drug abuse and held a medical camp at the Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) here on Sunday.
Speaking as a resource person, Women Against Social Evils (WASE) President Yamik Darang lamented that narcotics and mind-altering substances are flooding the rural areas of East Siang district and adjacent areas, “this which poses a serious threat to local societies”.
“The consumption of alcohol, narcotics and smuggled drugs by the youths is behind various offensive activities and accidents that occur from time to time in the region,” she said.
Stating that “parents’ irresponsible behavior negatively affects their children,” the leader of WASE urged parents to guide their children in the right direction. She also called on women to “come forward to fight tooth and nail against drug addiction and other anti-social activities and save future generations”.
Medical experts, including retired Deputy Director of Health Services, Dr. Saibal Bhattacharya, and Doctors of Medicine (MOs) Ojing Tayeng and Omin, explained how narcotics and psychotropic substances affect the human body. They also talked about counseling and rehabilitation measures for drug addicts.
Borguli Village Secretary Yung Tayeng, GB Nogen Yirang, GHSS Director Onung Tamut Taloh and others spoke out in favor of eradicating alcohol, tobacco products and contraband drugs in the rural areas.
This was followed by the health camp, where the MOs, along with the paramedics and nursing staff, carried out health checks and provided free treatment and medicine for various illnesses.
BSU Organizing Secretary David Lego informed that more than 300 poor patients have benefited from the health camp.
Former IPR director Obang Tayeng, BSU’s main patron, said that this was the first-ever public awareness campaign against drug abuse organized by BSU.
“The union plans to organize more welfare programs in the subdivision in the coming days,” he said.
In addition to the organisers, activists from WASE, members of PRI, GB, teachers and students from the school participated in the programme.
