Port Blair, July 14: The Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs) & Police Department organized an awareness programmes for the students and teachers of Govt. Girls Sr. Sec. School today. 170 students including teachers were sensitized on ‘Ill Effects of Alcohol and Drug Abuse’ under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan during the programme.

The programme was attended by Dr. Nitin Shakya, Director (Social Welfare). In his address, he mentioned, how substance abuse can have various negative effects on females, both physically and mentally and prolong use of drugs can damage vital organs such as the liver, heart, and lungs while it can also weaken their immune system, making females more susceptible to infections and illnesses. He said, certain drugs or stimulants can cause significant weight loss or gain, malnutrition and hormonal imbalances. Drug abuse is strongly linked to mental health disorders in females and Drug use can increase the risk of developing conditions such as anxiety and cause depression, he remarked.

The resource persons, Dr. Mahato from Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCAs), Swamy Shri Hari Padananda from Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Shri Prashish Kumar from Saathii (NGO) and Shri Rahil Islam, Sub Inspector from Police Department highlighted the issues related to drug abuse in their speeches.

Earlier, welcoming the gathering, the Principal, expressed gratitude to the Administration for organizing such awareness programmes. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the Nodal Teacher of the school.