Drug smuggling flagged for rampant drug use

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 3 : Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has pointed to drugs smuggled from across the border as a reason for rising drug addiction in the State.
The number of people abusing or using drugs has increased and one of the reasons for this surge is drugs smuggled from across the border, Bhalla said.
He said this while launching "Addiction Free Manipur Campaign" at Raj Bhavan Imphal today.
The campaign is being organised by Brahma Kumaris, Manipur under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Addressing the problem of drugs in Manipur, he said, rising drug smuggling activities and addiction harms younger generations in their most productive years.
They may be facing many issues and suffering, however, youths must understand that drugs are not the solution, Bhalla said.
Curbing the surge in addiction calls for concerted efforts from all sections of the society, he added, hinting that the problems of drugs are a hurdle to India's development.
India is an emerging superpower and the Prime Minister has set a target for the country to become developed (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, Bhalla said.
The country is the 5th largest economy in the world. It has an education system that is producing large numbers of good doctors, engineers and IT professionals. However, at the same time, the rate of addiction among the younger generation is increasing, Bhalla said.
Facing the problems of drugs requires the collective efforts of all. This is not like terrorism which can be handled by the Government and the security forces alone, Bhalla added.
He lauded Brahma Kumaris for organising the campaign.
Indian Medical Association, Manipur State Branch president Professor RK Lenin, secretary Medical Wing Mt Abu Rajasthan Dr Banarsilal Shah, Associate Professor of Neurology, Registrar Academic, GB Pant Institute, New Delhi Dr Swapan Gupta, Brahma Kumaris Manipur in-charge BK Nilima attended the programme.