KHLIEHRIAT:
With the aim of generating mass awareness on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a public rally was today organized in Khliehriat by the Red Ribbon Club (RRC), Jaintia Eastern College, Khliehriat in collaboration with Kyrmen Foundation, Lad Rymbai and Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS), Shillong.
The rally, enthusiastically participated by students and teachers, which commenced from Khliehriat East Parking Lot and culminated at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School Playground was followed by an Awareness Programme on HIV/AIDS themed “United for a Healthier Future: Combating Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS” which was attended by Cabinet Minister, Kyrmen Shylla as Chief Guest in the presence of Principal, Jaintia Eastern College, Dr. P. Nongtdu, Programme Manager, Mih-myntdu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA), Khliehriat, Smti. R. Patlong, Cluster Programme Manager, Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS), Khliehriat, Shri Sandy Tariang, traditional heads, teachers and students.
Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister, Kyrmen Shylla, while congratulating the organizers, underscored the significance of the programme whose aim is to raise awareness about the critical issues of drug abuse and illicit trafficking even as he sought the collective efforts of all stakeholders to combat these two threats.
Shylla also called upon the gathering to spread the message with regards to drug abuse by making optimum use of Social Media for wider impact and encouraged citizens particularly the youth to engage in physical activities including games and sports in the interest of their health and well being and in order to avoid drugs and other such intoxicating substances. Stressing on the need for strengthening collaborative efforts, Shri Shylla impressed upon the gathering to stop discrimination and stigmatization against HIV/AIDS infected individuals of society.
Earlier in the programme, Resource Person, Programme Manager, Mih-myntdu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA), Khliehriat, Smti. R. Patlong while speaking on the topic “The evil that comes from the use of intoxicating substances” underlined the reasons of the youth falling prey to substance abuse which include experimentation, peer pressure, family issues, psychological factors and easy availability of such substances.
Speaking on the effects of substance abuse, Smti. Patlong stated that drug abuse and alcohol abuse affect the physical, psychological and social well being of victims and also dwelt at length on the legal problems associated with substance abuse.
Meanwhile, Cluster Programme Manager, Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS), Khliehriat, Shri Sandy Tariang, also a Resource Person of the programme, while speaking on the topic “The role of the youth in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS “enlightened the gathering on the routes of transmission of HIV/AIDS which include unprotected sex, used syringes, blood transfusion or through infected blood products, transmission from an infected mother to the new born, etc while also highlighting the treatment of HIV infected individuals which includes Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).
Tariang also urged upon attendees, particularly students, to spread to the community the message gathered from the programme in regards to the causes and effects of drug abuse as also the treatment process of HIV infected patients.
Others who spoke during the programme include Principal, Jaintia Eastern College, Dr. P. Nongtdu who gave the welcome address and Assistant Professor, Jaintia Eastern College, Shri B. Dkhar who presented the vote of thanks.
