Port Blair, June 26: The Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration  in association with  Directorate of Social Welfare and SATHI an NGO  (A society for Social Change ) celebrated “International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking”  today at 10.30 am at Hope Town Gram Panchayat hall, to raise public awareness regarding menace of Drugs and its associated risks. 

The function was attended by PRI members, Local Head of institutions, Anganwadi workers, ASHAs, Medical and Para- Medical Staffs and large number of general public.  Shri Ved Prakash Mishra , Principal, Govt. Senior Secondary School, Bambooflat was the Chief Guest and Smti Rasheeda Bibi , Pradhan, Gram Panchayat, Hope Town, was the Guest of Honour on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion the Chief Guest, Shri Ved Prakash  Mishra, Principal, Govt. Senior Secondary School Bambooflat  highlighted the issue of Drug abuse, which is a serious threat to Health, particularly youths and students.  He expressed that while Govt. has the responsibility to stop Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, at the same time community and PRIs can also extend major contribution in this fight by raising their voice through public awareness campaign.        

Dr. Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health) in his keynote address highlighted about ill effects of Drug Abuse and its associated risks in our Health and social life. He also highlighted that illicit Drugs destroy innumerable lives and undermine our society.  Teenagers and youths are particularly vulnerable to Drug Abuse during Adolescent age.  He appealed the gathering to raise awareness campaign in their society about the danger of Drug Abuse.

Smti. Sajida Zubair, Secretary, Islander Social Movement for Awareness and Training (ISMAT) in her address expressed that communities, families, schools, civil societies and religious organization can play major role to stop Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking by raising public awareness campaign in their surroundings.

Shri R. K. Majhi, Programme Officer, (Social Welfare) in his address highlighted about social aspect and Danger of Drug Abuse in our family lives as well as community.

Smti. Rasheeda Bibi , Pradhan , Gram Panchayat, Hope Town  expressed  gratitude to Health Department for organizing this programme for the benefit of general public of Hope Town and surrounding areas. She also requested Health Department to organize such type of programme in future also in Hope Town areas.     

During the Programme a  Natak namely  “Anmol Jeevan “  on  ill effects of Drug Abuse  and Illicit Trafficking also performed by Aditya Natya Academy, Port Blair. 

Earlier, Dr. Subrata Saha , Medical Officer , CHC Bambooflat   has welcomed the  gathering   and at the   end of programme    Shri. Mohd. Ashraf, Health Educator, State Health Education Bureau of this Directorate proposed vote of thanks.