Arunachal Launches Online Course To Prevent Drug Abuse Among Staff

In a step forward to eradicate substance abuse in Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday launched the online certificate course on drug abuse prevention for the employees of the State Government.

To begin with, all Group A and B employees of the State Government will have to mandatorily undergo the course. The objective is to make these groups of employees ambassadors of creating change in society by being aware and equipped on drug abuse prevention and management.

Terming the initiative a strong push in the Government's fight against drug abuse, Khandu said that alcoholism and substance abuse are major concerns for the State as the menaces are alarmingly engulfing the youths.

"Most of us only hear about drug abuse and its effect on life of the people. We hardly have seen the effects as families facing the menace suffer in isolation," he said.

Khandu said that only after watching the Arunachalee movie 'I killed my son' recently, he realized the devastating impact of drug abuse on families and persons in the vicious grip.

"It broke my heart to realize how dangerous the menace is and how families suffer in silence," he said.

He appealed to all to voluntarily undergo the online course and join the fight against drug abuse, as the Government alone cannot win the battle no matter how hard it tries.

On Khandu's initiative, the Arunachal Pradesh Psychoactive Substances Policy, 2021 has already been adopted by the State Government to eradicate the menace from the society.

The Chief Minister informed that the State Government has sanctioned funds to establish six rehabilitation centers across the State and directed the concerned agencies to immediately start the work.

He suggested that these centers should be fully equipped for the purpose and also have provisions for vocational and skill development trainings for the inmates.

As these centers will take some time to become functional, Khandu suggested that reputed NGOs working on drug abuse and rehabilitation outside the State may be roped in through an MoU so that addicts can be immediately sent for treatment. He asked the Chief Secretary to work on it urgently.

"There are many addicts who are from poor family background and many have been disowned by family members. These groups of addicts ought to be identified first and immediately sent for rehabilitation," Khandu said.

The four-month online certificate course will consist of modules on understanding on substance abuse, types and harmful effects of drugs, signs and symptoms, myths and facts, counseling and intervention, management of alcohol, cannabis, opium use and related disorders, behavioural change, communication and family role, workplace prevention and law enforcement.

The course has been developed by the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA) in collaboration with the National Institute of Social Defence, New Delhi, under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) of the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and will be offered by the Arunachal Pradesh Psychoactive Substance Control Authority (APPSCA).

A certificate will be awarded to those successfully completing the course.

The launching ceremony was also attended by SJETA Minister Alo Libang, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Health and APPSCA Member Secretary, Commissioners and other top officials of SJETA.

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