Teachers deliberate on prevention of drug abuse Correspondent KOHIMA, JUN 17 (NPN):
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Article published on 6/18/2011 1:08:09 AM IST
School teachers representing private institutions in Kohima district on Friday collaborated to take up preventive measures on drug abuse among students community.
The key issues heading their action plan included conducting of a one day seminar for teachers on sensitization of drug abuse prevention and including drug abuse prevention programmes in their school’s events calendar.
Discussing this during a sensitization workshop on drug abuse conducted by the Regional Resource and Training Centre (RRTC)NE-II along with All Nagaland Private Schools Association Kohima Unit, it was decided that RRTC would initiate in conducting sensitization programme for teachers in private schools in Kohima starting from the current year.
This system module would be further carried out to other districts, the RRTC assured.
The participants also proposed for a counseling training programme to be given to representative from each school.
Having felt the importance of counseling in schools, the teachers also decided to impress upon the government to sponsor a full-fledged counselor to schools.
Further to sensitize students, it was proposed that a day in a month be dedicated to discuss matters of drug abuse with students and let students take involve in finding solutions to it.
Speaking on drug abuse prevention activities carried by National Institute of Social Defense, chairman of Kripa Foundation Dr. P. Ngully said that there are 11 RRTCs in the country, RRTC NE-II being one of the centres covering 10 rehab centres in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
He informed that role of RRTC NE-II include training of service providers, research and documentation, human resource development and IEC development, networking and advocacy, Drug Abuse Monitoring Systems (DAMS) etc.
Dr. Ngully further asserted that the RRTC was trying to decriminalize drug addicts, saying that addiction is a disease. While mentioning that the most vulnerable age for drug abuse was between the age of 20-30 years, Dr. Ngully said that proper and humanitarian form of be taken to rehabilitate them.
Speaking on drug scenario in Nagaland, director of Kripa Foundation Abou Mere said that Nagaland was passing through a turbulent period in its history, the transition from a traditional tribal society to a modern technological culture, and the people becoming vulnerable to drugs. He pointed out that availability and easy accessibility of drugs, lack of family quality time, pressure and low capacity to cope with life stress were some of the reasons leading to drug abuse.
To curb the ill-affects of addiction, Abou Mere stated that schools should create awareness of drug hazards, promote youth friendly activities like trainings and workshops on life skill and social issues besides academic classes, counseling therapy to students and family members, participation of students in community events.
The programme was sponsored by National Institute of Social Defense, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
‘The Bridge’
While addressing the high incidence of children indulging in ‘gateway drugs’ such as tobacco, gutkha and sniffing of inhalant drugs and realizing the importance of dealing with such problems with proper care and counselling, Kripa Foundation has created a space called ‘The Bridge’ where professional help can be accessed with the hope to bridge gap between the child and adult. For issues relating to drug abuse, school drop-outs, or children dependent on gateway drugs, professional counselling can be availed at The Bridge, Kripa Foundation Nagaland, Red Cross Complex Kohima/ 0370-2241853/
kripanagaland@yahoo.in
submitted by
Abu Mere
Kripa Nagaland
Director
