GUWAHATI:
The Arunachal Pradesh government has started a mandatory online certificate course in drug abuse prevention for its Grade A and Grade B employees.
The programme was designed by the State’s Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA).
“Alcoholism and substance abuse, exerting a vicious grip on our youth, is a major concern for the State. The objective is to make our employees ambassadors of change by equipping them with the management and prevention of drug abuse,” Chief Minister Pema Khandu said while launching the course in Itanagar on Friday.
The four–month course will consist of modules on understanding substance abuse, types and harmful effects of drugs, signs and symptoms, myths and facts, counselling and intervention, management of alcohol, cannabis and opioid use and related disorders, behavioural change, communication and family role, workplace prevention and law enforcement.
Mr. Khandu said he might not have been aware of how families are suffering in silence had he not watched I Killed my Son, a local movie on the effects of substance abuse in the State.
In 2021, the Arunachal Pradesh Psychoactive Substances Policy was enacted to eradicate the menace of drug addiction. He said his government has in keeping with this policy sanctioned funds for establishing six rehabilitation centres across the State.
“As these centres will take some time to become functional, reputed NGOs working on drug abuse and rehabilitation outside the State may be roped in for managing these centres to help addicts,” he said.
Almost a year ago, the State government had decided to crack down on its employees addicted to natural and synthetic drugs after reports from enforcement agencies that drug addiction has reached an alarming proportion in 15 of the 25 districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
The government subsequently issued a notification making it mandatory for all employees to report their addiction to drugs, if any, to their senior officers.
Cultivation of narcotic substances such as cannabis and opium has also been a major challenge for the enforcement agencies in Arunachal Pradesh. Officials said the government has been trying to wean people away from opium cultivation by promoting other high–value crops.
