IMPHAL, March 4 NNN: An effective drug policy to tackle illegal drug trafficking in Manipur is needed, Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE) said at a workshop here on Monday.
Several resource persons, including two from outside the state are also taking part at the 3-day state level workshop which began on Monday at the office premises of CoNE here.
CoNE secretary M Gandhar while delivering a welcome and introductory speech of the programme, said the workshop was being organized with an endeavor to find out an effective drug policy to curb Blood Borne Diseases caused by changing nature of drug use such as Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) and to spread awareness on drug policy among the people.
The opening day of the workshop was divided into two sessions—morning and evening.
CoNE president RK Nalikanta spoke on the topics “Drug Use Scenario, Issues and Concerns of People Who Use Drugs and Response in Manipur” and “Evolution of CoNE and its Key Focus Areas.”
Tripti Tandon of Lawyers Collective delivered on “Human Rights and Drug Policy” and “Indian Law, Legal System and Drug Policy.” Tripti talked about lack of community participation in tackling drug menace, discrimination against drug abusers and dissemination of accurate information on the impact of drug abuse. He also pointed out the disadvantages and deficiency of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotripic Substances Act.
Nandani Pillai of Nossal Institute for Global Health also participated at the discussion. She talked on the topic “Principles and International Drug Policy Framework” and several other resource persons representing different Civil Society Organanisations of the state also spoke on various topics on a practical drug policy for Manipur.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/discussion-held-to-check-drug-trafficking/
