Port Blair, Feb 22: An Awareness Program on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction was organized by Humane Touch on 21st February 2021, 6:30 pm at Brindaban Panchayat.

Speaking in the occasion, P Mujeeb Rehman, President Humane Touch said that the organization will continuously work at grassroots educating the villagers about the ill-effects of alcohol and also make an action plan to weed out this scourge from the area.

He appealed the villagers to cooperate in making the panchayat a liquor-free panchayat and to resist opening up of Liquor Shop in Brindaban Panchayat. He also pointed towards the consequences of alcoholism, which destroys families and societies and leads to surge in domestic violence and crime.

Rajesh Lall, a social worker, addressing the gathering raised concerns on lack of developmental activities in the village and cautioned the villagers about the economic and social costs of alcoholism. He vehemently opposed opening of a wine shop in the locality.

While appreciating the steps taken by Andaman and Nicobar Police in curbing bootlegging and drug trade, P Abdul Basheer, President, Nai Manzil NGO also raised concern over the proposed wine shop at Brindaban Panchayat and he assured his support and also requested villagers to support and join hands with Humane Touch in this endeavour of stopping this social evil.

VK Abdul Aziz, a social worker briefed the villagers about the ill-effects of alcoholism and how it has destroyed many households in the area. He drew attention towards the recent incidents of rise in suicides in the area which directly or indirectly is related to alcoholism. He also assured support and cooperation in weeding out alcoholism from the area. He also appreciated the steps taken by A&N Police under the guidance of DGP.

MK Abdul Gafoor, former President of Humane Touch, who spoke on the occasion, said that alcoholism has spread its tentacles among young children of the Islands and how a concerted effort cleansed the areas around Wimberly Gunj area from illicit liquor as well as bootlegging a few years back.

Many women from the village echoed the same sentiments and raised objections on the proposed opening of wine shop in the locality.

The programme was attended by large number of villagers including women and children.

The program started with screening of a short film showing the affects of alcoholism and drug addiction. Earlier, MK Naseef, General Secretary Humane Touch welcomed the gathering and briefed about various social and public issues taken up by the organization.

The programme concluded with vote of thanks proposed by PK Shahid, Executive Member, Humane Touch.