Press Release
Press Release from Social Welfare Department
Information & Public Relations Department
Gangtok, 26ᵗʰ May 2025
The third meeting of the State-Level Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign Committee (SLNMBCC) was successfully held today in the Conference Hall of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), Lumsey, Tadong.
The session was chaired by Smt. Sarika Pradhan, Secretary, Social Welfare Department and Chairperson of the Committee.
The meeting witnessed active participation from members representing various departments including Police, Education, Health, Information & Public Relations, and Transport. Representatives from non-governmental organizations, rehabilitation centres, and retired government officials, including Shri Praveen Gurung (Retd. IG) and Dr. C.S. Sharma (Retired Psychiatrist), also contributed to strengthen the efforts with their expert inputs.
The meeting was convened with primary focus to review ongoing anti-drug initiatives under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), strengthen inter-departmental collaboration and strategize for the upcoming International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26ᵗʰ June 2025.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Shri Mahesh Sharma, Additional Director, SWD, who emphasized the importance of a united, community-driven, and empathetic approach to tackling substance abuse in the state.
Smt. Sarika Pradhan provided a detailed update on the progress of the Sahayogi Programme, appreciating the continued support from government departments. She urged deeper engagement from the Education, Rural Development, and Transport Departments to expand the programme’s reach across schools, panchayats, villages, and driver associations.
Shri Satyen Pradhan presented a review of decisions taken during the second committee meeting, which were unanimously confirmed, enabling the committee to proceed with the current agenda.
The members of the Committee shared their expert inputs and suggestions for improving impact of the campaign which included-
• Dr. Lassopa, Clinical Psychologist from the Health Department, highlighted weekly psychiatric services being provided in prisons. She proposed setting up temporary detoxification and rehabilitation units within existing prison infrastructure, supported by formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). She also recommended the adoption of hybrid counselling platforms and digital tools such as Inspire to enhance grievance redressal and referral mechanisms.
The committee agreed to follow up with the SP Prisons and the Home Department on the establishment of de-addiction facilities in correctional settings.
• Shri K.C. Nima, Freedom Rehab Centre, cited a shortage of trained counsellors and limited training budgets.
• Gadion Tamang, SRDS Nimtar, expressed the need for more practical, application-based training modules under NISD.
• Ms. Santoshi Khanal, Senior Nurse from Chuwatar CAM/DTC, drew attention to complex cases involving individuals engaged in both substance use and drug trafficking, and advocated for clear intervention protocols.
• Dr. C.S. Sharma called for standardized counselling frameworks, centralized reporting mechanisms, and well-defined SOPs for identification, referral, and follow-up of substance users.
• Shri Pravin Gurung suggested introducing stringent legal measures, including life imprisonment for repeat offenders, and proposed the formation of a dedicated state-level advisory body / department to comprehensively tackle substance abuse.
Smt. Bandana Chettri, Additional Secretary, SWD, presented a detailed progress report of the works undertaken by the Department since the 2nd meeting of the Committee in Oct 2024. She apprised the house about training of 24 rehab centre representatives under NISD in Delhi; Kick start of sahayogi karmachari and Orientation of Nodal Officers from all department; expansion of Sahayogi Mitra programme in schools in collaboration with the Education Department; discussion with Transport Department for taking forward Sahayogi Sarathi program.
She also highlighted key outreach activities such as Hotspot survey led by DESME, association with Archery and angling competition in Pakyong and Jorethang for greater awareness, participation in the North East Youth Festival in Yangyang etc.
The information about the upcoming plans/events chalked out with effect from 1st of June to 26th June to culminate on the occasion of International Day Against drug Abuse under the banner of NMBA were shared with the members such as -
• An ultra-marathon in partnership with the Sports Department
• A publication/book launch on drug related issues
• Talent competitions for rehabilitation patients, coordinated by Shri Satish Rasaily, Senior Consultant, Chuwatar Rehab Centre
• Online Poem and essay competition
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Ram Kumar Tamang, Deputy Director, SWD, who appreciated the active participation and shared commitment of all stakeholders. He emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration, resource-sharing, and integrated strategies to realize the shared vision of a drug-free Sikkim
The third meeting of the State-Level Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign Committee (SLNMBCC) was successfully held today in the Conference Hall of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), Lumsey, Tadong.
The session was chaired by Smt. Sarika Pradhan, Secretary, Social Welfare Department and Chairperson of the Committee.
The meeting witnessed active participation from members representing various departments including Police, Education, Health, Information & Public Relations, and Transport. Representatives from non-governmental organizations, rehabilitation centres, and retired government officials, including Shri Praveen Gurung (Retd. IG) and Dr. C.S. Sharma (Retired Psychiatrist), also contributed to strengthen the efforts with their expert inputs.
The meeting was convened with primary focus to review ongoing anti-drug initiatives under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), strengthen inter-departmental collaboration and strategize for the upcoming International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26ᵗʰ June 2025.
The session commenced with a welcome address by Shri Mahesh Sharma, Additional Director, SWD, who emphasized the importance of a united, community-driven, and empathetic approach to tackling substance abuse in the state.
Smt. Sarika Pradhan provided a detailed update on the progress of the Sahayogi Programme, appreciating the continued support from government departments. She urged deeper engagement from the Education, Rural Development, and Transport Departments to expand the programme’s reach across schools, panchayats, villages, and driver associations.
Shri Satyen Pradhan presented a review of decisions taken during the second committee meeting, which were unanimously confirmed, enabling the committee to proceed with the current agenda.
The members of the Committee shared their expert inputs and suggestions for improving impact of the campaign which included-
• Dr. Lassopa, Clinical Psychologist from the Health Department, highlighted weekly psychiatric services being provided in prisons. She proposed setting up temporary detoxification and rehabilitation units within existing prison infrastructure, supported by formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). She also recommended the adoption of hybrid counselling platforms and digital tools such as Inspire to enhance grievance redressal and referral mechanisms.
The committee agreed to follow up with the SP Prisons and the Home Department on the establishment of de-addiction facilities in correctional settings.
• Shri K.C. Nima, Freedom Rehab Centre, cited a shortage of trained counsellors and limited training budgets.
• Gadion Tamang, SRDS Nimtar, expressed the need for more practical, application-based training modules under NISD.
• Ms. Santoshi Khanal, Senior Nurse from Chuwatar CAM/DTC, drew attention to complex cases involving individuals engaged in both substance use and drug trafficking, and advocated for clear intervention protocols.
• Dr. C.S. Sharma called for standardized counselling frameworks, centralized reporting mechanisms, and well-defined SOPs for identification, referral, and follow-up of substance users.
• Shri Pravin Gurung suggested introducing stringent legal measures, including life imprisonment for repeat offenders, and proposed the formation of a dedicated state-level advisory body / department to comprehensively tackle substance abuse.
Smt. Bandana Chettri, Additional Secretary, SWD, presented a detailed progress report of the works undertaken by the Department since the 2nd meeting of the Committee in Oct 2024. She apprised the house about training of 24 rehab centre representatives under NISD in Delhi; Kick start of sahayogi karmachari and Orientation of Nodal Officers from all department; expansion of Sahayogi Mitra programme in schools in collaboration with the Education Department; discussion with Transport Department for taking forward Sahayogi Sarathi program.
She also highlighted key outreach activities such as Hotspot survey led by DESME, association with Archery and angling competition in Pakyong and Jorethang for greater awareness, participation in the North East Youth Festival in Yangyang etc.
The information about the upcoming plans/events chalked out with effect from 1st of June to 26th June to culminate on the occasion of International Day Against drug Abuse under the banner of NMBA were shared with the members such as -
• An ultra-marathon in partnership with the Sports Department
• A publication/book launch on drug related issues
• Talent competitions for rehabilitation patients, coordinated by Shri Satish Rasaily, Senior Consultant, Chuwatar Rehab Centre
• Online Poem and essay competition
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Ram Kumar Tamang, Deputy Director, SWD, who appreciated the active participation and shared commitment of all stakeholders. He emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration, resource-sharing, and integrated strategies to realize the shared vision of a drug-free Sikkim