NAMSAI, May 20:Former All Namsai Area Youth Association (ANAYA) President Chow Tewa Manpoong called for a fresh approach towards drug addicts in the district by treating them as victims of substance abuse rather than criminals.
He said this in a meeting convened by the All Tai-Khampti Singpho Students Union (ATKSSU) at Namsai Circuit House with regards to the drug menace prevailing in the district.
Further, Manpoong said that it was necessary to create a permanent rehabilitation centre, detox facilities and permanent psychiatric cell in the district health institution.
Singpho Youth Association General Secretary, Thingnong Umbu called for proper awareness measures, adding that it was not only the duty of associations and organisations to create awareness, but of society as a unit.
Accordingly, the house resolved to create an interim committee to tackle the menace of drugs in the district. The committee, with the help of locals, officials and legislators hoped to spread awareness in various villages and educational institutes of the district periodically to tackle and uproot drug menace.
The meeting was also attended by members of ANAYA and All Namsai District Students Union (ANDSU).