Port Blair, Nov. 8: The Seminar on “Substance Use” was organized by ISMAT (Islanders Social Movement for Awareness and Training) – a women’s initiative, on 5th November 2022 at JNRM Auditorium, Port Blair to release the Survey Report on “A Study of Substance Use among School and College Students in Port Blair”. Around 180 Students from JNRM, Andaman Law College and TGCE participated in the Seminar.
Shri. Neeraj Thakur, DGP, A&N Islands was the Chief Guest for the occasion while Ms. Ranjana Deswal, Secretary, Civil Supplies, A&N Administration was the Guests of Honour.
At the outset Ms. Shehnaz Jadwet, Charter President Ismat welcomed the Chief Guest and the Guests of Honour. She also welcomed the Special Guests Dr. H.K. Sharma, Principal, JNRM, Mrs. Ratna Kannan, Member Child Welfare Committee, Mrs. Raj Mahajan, Charter President, Inner Wheel Club, Mr. Surender Prahladka, President Chamber Commerce and Mrs. Rita, Restriction Officer, Social Welfare Department with a plant each. Dr. Shirin Jadwet, President ISMAT gave the Welcome address.
The seminar started with a talk by Dr. Mitesh Behari, Neuro-Psychiatrist & De-addiction Specialist, Dr. Ritika’s Diagnostic Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Garacharma on the “Psychological Aspects of Drug Abuse among the youth of our Islands”. He highlighted that addiction is an illness which effects both men and women alike and there has been an increase in the addiction post pandemic. He also stressed that treatment is possible and the most important thing is awareness and community participation to control it.
The Session on the “Legal Aspects of Drug Abuse among the youth of our Islands” was taken by Dr. Ridhima Seth, Dy.SP , Anti-Corruption Unit. She spoke at length on the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 and the legal implications of drug trafficking.
Mr. A.K. Biswas, Probation Officer, Social Welfare Department underlined the importance of family and how use of drugs affects the relationships during his session on the “Social Aspects of Drug abuse among the youth of our Island”. He urged the youth to support their families and save the nation by avoiding the use of Drugs.
The Survey report was released by the Chief Guest, Shri Neeraj Thakur, DGP, A&N Islands following a brief presentation about the report by Ms. Asma Khan, member Ismat.
In his address Shri Thakur emphasized that it would require a collective effort to fight the menace posed by Drugs. Ms Ranjana Deswal, Secretary Civil Supplies and Dr. H.K Sharma, Principal, JNRM encouraged the students in their address. The Session concluded by Ms. Rasheeda Peer, General Secretary giving away the vote of thanks.