The ongoing Awareness programme on Substance Abuse organized by the Mih-Myntdu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA), Khliehriat in collaboration with the office of the District School Education Officer (DSEO), East Jaintia Hills District and supported by the office of the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), East Jaintia Hills District reached Jalaphet Village at a programmeheld today at the Hall of Syrlein Secondary School, East Jaintia Hills District.
The programme was attended by Medical & Health Officer, In-charge Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST), Centre, Khliehriat, Dr J. Nongtdu in the presence of Programme Manager, Mih-Myntdu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA), Khliehriat, Smti. R. Patlong, teachers, students and others.
Medical & Health Officer, In-charge Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST), Centre, Khliehriat, Dr J. Nongtdusensitized the students gathered at the programme on the different categories of drugs including stimulants, depressants and hallucinogens, and elaborated on the impact of substances like alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, marijuana and cocaine on an individual’s physical and mental well-being.
Further, Dr. Nongtdu also highlighted the harmful effects of substance abuse while also listing the vital organs that are severely affected by prolonged drug use. He also made the students aware of the common signs and behavioural changes that may indicate drug consumption, and urged the teachers to remain vigilant and guide the students at so that timely intervention can be provided to those affected by substance abuse
In addition, he also explained the effects of heroin on the human body at various stages, mentioning symptoms such as a sudden warm sensation on the skin, drowsiness, slowed breathing, dryness of the mouth, and a heavy sensation in the body. The session also focused on the underlying reasons that lead individuals towards drug use, while emphasizing the widespread consequences it has not only on the individual but also on the family, friends and society as a whole.
Earlier, Programme Manager, Mih-Myntdu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA), Khliehriat Smti. R. Patlong, in her address highlighted the role of the Mih-Myndu Community Social Welfare Association (MCSWA), which works for the welfare of people who use drugs, sex workers and people living with HIV.
She emphasized to the students the various routes of transmission of HIV and stated that individuals who test positive for HIV must enrol in an ART Centre and adhere to lifelong Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). She also informed them about the two ART Centres available in the district, located at Khliehriat and Sutnga, which provide free lifelong ART medication to patients.
She further stressed that MCSWA is working tirelessly to raise awareness among the public, particularly students, as the focus has now shifted towards prevention. She noted that such awareness programmes are crucial for young people to understand the prevalence of diseases in society and to make informed choices.
Furthermore, she enlightened the students on the concept of Undetectable = Un-transmittable (U=U) and underscored the importance of regular adherence to ART, which helps in reducing the viral load in the human body. She added that individuals who do not take ART medication regularly are more susceptible to various opportunistic diseases.
It may be mentioned that the primary objective of the program is to create awareness among the youth regarding the harmful consequences of drug use and to safeguard them from engaging in such practices.
The awareness programme also featured an engaging interactive session, where students enthusiastically participated in a question-and-answer session on the topic. To encourage active involvement, gifts were presented to those who responded positively and correctly.
