Guwahati: Pijush Hazarika, the Assam Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, stated that everyone must be on guard to prevent drug addiction in the next generation.
This was said by Pijush Hazarika on Wednesday during a special awareness programme hosted by the State Anti-Drug and Prevention Council in honour of International Overdose Awareness Day.
The government will always take a severe position against illegal substances, and we must all exercise caution to protect present and future generations from their toxicity.
The minister, who was the event’s chief guest, noted that drug abuse and overdose may damage not just a person’s life but also the lives of their family members.
He claimed, nothing is more upsetting for parents than witnessing their children die of drug addiction right in front of them.
He added that since the state’s government was established under the leadership of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, it has taken a tough stand against illegal substances and drug traffickers.
Hazarika stated that establishing some regulations for treatment facilities for drug addiction sufferers in the state would benefit the facilities in carrying out their duties effectively. Each centre that provides services to people who are addicted to drugs should have the necessary infrastructure, medical facilities, and counselling facilities. However, he added that in order to help the sufferers of drug addiction overcome their problem, the government requires the assistance of rehabilitation centres.
Rakesh Chandra Shukla, the director of the Narcotic Control Bureau, also warned during the gathering about the dangers of drug overdose. A young man who had managed to overcome his drug addiction, on the other hand, addressed the gathering and thanked the state administration for establishing a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone who wanted to escape the grip of narcotics.
In attendance today were Jitu Borgohain, vice president of the state anti-drugs and prevention council, Jayanta Das, chairman of the Assam State Scheduled Castes Development Corporation, director of social justice and empowerment, and students from a number of educational institutions.
It is important to note that International Overdose Awareness Day has been commemorated globally every year since 2001 in order to demonstrate support for the families of drug addicts and to foster an unique awareness environment for the rescue of drug addicts from the hammer of drugs.