THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Dec 5: The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) organised an awareness programme on de-addiction at Surendranath Centenary School on Thursday.
On this occasion, LADCS Advocate Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Life Savers NGO Head Atul Gera, Rakesh Kumar Goswami (NCB), Naveen Rai (CID), Shailendra Singh, Elromen Tete, S.I. Rizwan Ansari and Shail Ambastha, Assistant Director, Drugs Department and Principal, teachers and Raja Verma of Surendranath Centenary School were present.
LADCS Advocate Rajesh Kumar Sinha said that Article 47 of the Indian Constitution directs the State to endeavour to eliminate the consumption of intoxicating drinks and narcotic drugs which are injurious to health, except for medicinal purposes.
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Under the NDPS Act 1985, production or possession of opium or poppy is punishable with rigorous imprisonment for up to 20 years depending on the quantity. Repeated offences can even result in the death penalty.
Along with rehabilitation centres in Kanke, NGOs also help in curing drug addicts. He further said that there is a legal aid clinic of the District Legal Services Authority in CIP and RINPAS, where such drug addicts are treated.
Sinha explained in detail about the substances related to drug addiction. He also talked about the provision of punishment and about those substances which, if smuggled, kept or taken from one place to another and found in the possession of a person, will be liable for punishment under the NDPS Act.
Atul Gera of Life Savers NGO also shed light on de-addiction. He said that the body of those who get addicted to drugs or any other intoxication slowly becomes hollow. “Children are the future of India; therefore, we have to stay away from drugs at any cost and we have to make others de-addicted as well,” he added.
Rakesh Kumar Goswami of the NCB explained how things like simple cough syrup are used for intoxication. “The state of Jharkhand not only consumes drugs but also produces them despite heavy action. Addiction hurts the individual and family, physical and mental health. For some people, the journey of addiction starts at the age of 16 or even less. The high population of rehabilitation centres has become a big problem for them. If the problem of drug addiction is brought under control in Ranchi, the crime rate can be reduced by about 70 per cent. It is advisable to report any suspicious activity related to drugs in Ranchi to the authorities,” he said.
Naveen Rai from the CID said that the role of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is important to stop this drug problem in Jharkhand. “It is responsible for the implementation of laws and coordination between stakeholders. The production and distribution of drugs reach the root of this problem. Most smuggling gangs are not caught due to a lack of resources. Last month, the Home Ministry established Manas Helpline (toll-free number 1933) for the general public to report any suspicion related to drug abuse,” he added.
Shailendra Singh, Elromen Tete, and SI Rizwan from CID gave information about the laws related to drug abuse to the children present. They talked about the harm caused by drug abuse and discussed in detail the related punishment.
