Police officials along with students pose for a photo during a Drug Trafficking and Substance Abuse Awareness Campaign held at the Conference Hall of Police Baptist Church in Wokha on August 28.
Wokha, August 29 (MExN): A Drug Trafficking and Substance Abuse Awareness Campaign was held at the Conference Hall of Police Baptist Church in Wokha on August 28 to sensitise students and the public on the dangers of drug abuse, drug trafficking and tobacco consumption.
The programme was organised by DEF Wokha/ANTF Wokha in collaboration with Wokha District Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, District AIDS and Prevention Control Unit and District Tobacco Control Unit.
A total of 80 participants, including 65 students and 15 others, attended the programme. Students from Santsuo School, Wokha, and Unit Regimental School, DEF Wokha, participated.
Addl SP Wokha and Nodal Officer, ANTF Wokha, Biren Lotha (NPS), spoke on drug trafficking and substance abuse, highlighting major drug hotspots and the inter-state movement of drugs. He stressed the need for greater awareness and vigilance among students and the community to prevent drug-related activities.
District Welfare Officer C James Ezung spoke on different types of drugs, their effects and the meaning of drug abuse and intoxication. He encouraged students to share their problems with trusted elders and seek help when facing difficulties, stressing the message “Refuse, Resist and Report”.
Psychologist (NTCP), District Hospital Wokha, Tshopeu Khutsoh, spoke on the harmful effects of tobacco, explaining the two broad forms of tobacco use — smoking and smokeless tobacco. She said there are around 274 million tobacco users globally and noted that India is among the major tobacco-producing countries.
Khutsoh highlighted tobacco’s association with oral cancer and other serious health consequences. She also sensitised students on the prohibition of sale and purchase of tobacco products by persons below 18 years and the restriction on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of educational institutions.
Students were informed that free treatment for tobacco users is available at Dr Motsuo Memorial Hospital, Wokha, and were encouraged to seek professional help for tobacco dependence.
An interactive session was held, allowing students to raise questions and interact with the resource persons. During the interaction, Lotha also stressed cleanliness, personal hygiene and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The programme was chaired by Richard Lotha, Assistant Teacher, URS DEF Wokha, while Kuhlhi Khape, OC, Police Station Wokha, proposed the vote of thanks.
On-the-spot medical testing for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis was also conducted. The programme concluded with light refreshments.
