An awareness programme on drugs, alcohol abuse and illicit trafficking was organised by MayQueen Secondary School, Mawlai, on Friday in collaboration with KRIPA Foundation’s deaddiction centre.
The programme was divided into two sessions, one for parents and one for students.
Pastor Khraw Sohtun, one of the resource persons, gave a brief explanation on substance abuse, signs and symptoms in children and the three stages of addiction.
There was also testimony from one of the recovered patients of KRIPA Foundation.
The programme also included student activity sessions for Class 6-10 students where group discussions on topics such as addiction as a disease, its curability, causes, ways to help addicts and the definition of addiction were thoroughly discussed. These sessions were conducted by members of KRIPA Foundation with assistance by the teachers of the school aimed at promoting awareness and understanding among students.
The second session was conducted for parents. Grace Thongni, a counsellor from KRIPA Foundation, emphasised on de-stigmatisation of addiction, explained the signs and symptoms of substance abuse in children and advised parents to develop closer relationships with their children.
The second part was addressed by Pastor Sohtun. The pastor spoke about the prevention and cure of substance abuse. He spoke about acceptance of the truth and the challenges that come with it. There was also an interactive session with the parents where the parents took part actively as well as a testimony by family members of the victims.