Leh, June 25: The Health and Family Welfare Department, Leh under National Mental Health Program (NHMP) observed the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in advance at DIET Leh with the theme ‘Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crisis’. Chief Education Officer Leh, S D Namgyal was the chief guest for the occasion.  

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed globally on June 26. It aims to create awareness about the issues related to drugs and seek international cooperation to combat its effects on health, society, and governance.

SD Namgyal shared that awareness against drug abuse should not remain limited to a specific day and should be a continuous effort on the part of everyone. He highlighted the significant role that teachers could play in preventing the spread of drug abuse. He urged them to remain vigilant about the menace of drug abuse.

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Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr Nurzin Angmo said that cooperation from all the stakeholders is needed to eradicate the menace of drug abuse from our society. Speaking about the noticeable behavioural changes in a substance abuser, Dr Nuzrin Angmo urged the parents and teachers to look out for such changes. She also spoke about the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) and the District Level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) Committee to prevent the rising incidence of substance abuse. 

Psychiatrist, SNM Hospital, Leh, Dr Tashi Tundup spoke at length about substance use and substance use disorders. He added that the presence of a ‘psychoactive property’ and consequent ‘dependency’ on it determines the product being a substance/drug. Dr Tundup shared that viewing drug abuse as a moral policing and law and order issue rather than a health scarce hindered effectively tackling the menace of drug abuse in earlier times. He also appealed for collective efforts to stem the prevalence of drug abuse and illicit trafficking. 

The event was organised as a part of the ongoing workshop for principals/ambassadors on Ayushman Bharat School Health and Wellness Programme organised by Health Department, Leh in collaboration with Education Department, UT Ladakh. 

Principal, DIET Leh, Tsetan Dorjey; District Immunization Officer, Leh, Dr Diskit Dolma; District TuberculosisOfficer, Leh, Dr Iqbal Ahmad; Principals and teachers from different government schools; staff of Health Department and DIET Leh were also present on the occasion.