Training cum workshop on ‘Prohibition of Drug Abuse’ for nodal teachers from different schools within East Jaiñtia Hills district was held at the office of the deputy commissioner in Khliehriat today.
The programme was organised by the district administration which was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Abhilash Baranwal.
Baranwal informed that the aim of the training programme is to engage teachers in addressing the problem of drug abuse in the district. “The teachers are the best hope as they spend maximum time with the children and have considerable influence over the children, they have the right support structure and teachers hold a very respectable position in the society,” he said.
He also stressed on the importance of understanding the physical and behavioural signs and markers, which can indicate that a particular student is leading towards drug abuse. This, he added, will enable teachers to intervene at the earliest stage, so that a gradual approach can be taken through various levels of intervention to help the student overcome addiction and also prevent stigmatization.
The topics for the day-long training cum workshop include Legal awareness and NDPS Act (markers, signs, and symptoms of drug users), Joint Action plan and Counseling, Types of Drugs, Ill Effects of Drugs Abuse, and Impact of Drug Abuse in the Family, Economic and Society, Impact of Drugs Abuse in the Physical Body.
The resource persons of the programme were Additional SP B. Jyrwa, District Child Protection Officer, T. Kyndiah, MCSWA programme manager, R. Patlong, and Dr. J. Nongtdu, Medical Officer, in- charge of OST.
