Port Blair, June 22: As part of the weeklong celebration of International Drug De-Addiction, a seminar was organized at PBMC auditorium, in which, Ms. Veditha Reddy, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman was the chief guest on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, she stressed on the need for organizing such programme regularly at frequent intervals at Senior Secondary School, Colleges and Gram Panchayats. She urged to avail the opportunity of counseling and treatment facility provided by Integrated Rehabilitation Center for Addicts (IRCA) South Andaman. She further reiterated that people who are suffering from substance abuse should come forward for their treatment at IRCA, like people going to hospitals for treatment of physical ailments.

Ms. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary, Social Welfare, South Andaman emphasized the need for confidentiality of the treatment of addicts and informers of the drug peddlers. Shri Anand Vardhan Mishra, Assistant Commissioner (HQ), spoke on role of parents in prevention of substance abuse among the children.

Dr. Kushal Baidya, Assistant Professor, ANIIMS highlighted about the ill effects of substance abuse in the society, family and physical health of the addicts. Shri  Binoy Mathur, DySP, Narcotics Andaman and Nicobar Police spoke about legal aspects of misuse of narcotic drugs.

A team of performers from IRBn performed nukkad natak highlighting the ill effects of narcotics on family life.  ISMAT an NGO also participated in the program and spoke about their activities in prevention of drug abuse amongst children. A large number of  people attended the program.

Earlier, Dr. MK Mahato, Medical Officer (I/C) on behalf of IRCA, South Andaman welcomed the gathering. The function concluded with vote of thanks proposed by ShriAkash Saojal, Peer Educator, IRCA, South Andaman.