IMPHAL, June 26 - The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed in Manipur on Monday. This year the theme was �Listen First � Listening to Children and Youth is the First Step to Help Them Grow Healthy and Safe.�
The State level observation was held under the aegis of State Social Welfare department, Federation of Indian NGO�s for Drug Abuse Prevention and Coalition Against Drugs & Alcohol. Health & Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar Singh, Social Welfare and Cooperation Minister Nemcha Kipgen and Education Minister Th Radheshyam Singh attended the function.
Most of the speakers in the meeting expressed the need to work hand in hand in making the State a Substance Abuse Free State and also to develop a healthier community.
Health Minister Jayantakumar informed that various departments under the government are working to completely wipe out drug abuse and illicit trafficking and also to educate the society of the harmful effects of drugs.
Social Welfare and Cooperation Minister Nemcha Kipgen urged the families, institutions, civil society, and various organisations to cooperate and contribute their bit to get rid of such intoxicants.
In Churachandpur town, a marathon race was held as part of the observation, in which about 500 runners participated.
