DARKA : The District Narco Coordination (NCORD) Committee, West Siang, in collaboration with West Siang Police, organised a comprehensive awareness programme at Government Secondary School (GSS), Darka under the theme “Together We Can: Safeguarding Our Children from Drugs & Abuse.”
The programme aimed to sensitise students on child protection, prevention of drug abuse and safeguarding children from exploitation through a multi-stakeholder approach involving the Police Department, Department of Education, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Department of Health, Mother Vision, Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) and Fellowship Arunachal Recovery Community.
The organisers highlighted the growing concern over substance abuse among young people and stressed the need for greater awareness to protect children from exploitation and other social evils.
The programme focused on educating students, teachers and parents about the harmful effects of drug abuse, provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, “Good Touch-Bad Touch” awareness, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and other relevant laws.
The organisers also emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts among families, schools, police, government departments and civil society organisations in creating a safe and drug-free environment for children. They noted that several members of the Fellowship Arunachal Recovery Community have successfully overcome addiction and are now motivating others to lead substance-free lives, while timely intervention by teachers and parents has helped protect children from abuse in several instances.
Students, teachers and members of the School Management Committee participated enthusiastically in the programme and took the “Together We Can: Safeguarding Our Children from Drugs & Abuse” pledge.
The District NCORD Committee announced that similar awareness programmes will be conducted every Saturday across schools in West Siang district, with at least two schools to be covered every month.
Besides anti-drug awareness, sessions in primary and middle schools will also focus on child safety, including “Good Touch-Bad Touch”, the POCSO Act and other child protection issues.
The initiative is part of the committee’s sustained efforts to build a drug-free society and ensure a safe and secure environment for children and youth across the district. (DIPR)
