A program under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was organized at Government Senior Secondary School, Bermoik on September 11, to raise awareness on substance and alcohol use among the youth of Sikkim and to discuss effective ways to combat it. The event was conducted by the Centre for Addiction Medicine (CAM), Chuwatar, with the support of the Social Welfare Department.
A total of 80 students, along with teachers and staff, actively participated in the session.
Key Speakers:
1. Mr. Mahesh Sharma (Additional Controller, Social Welfare Department):
Highlighted the rising use of tobacco, cigarettes, and cannabis among the youth. He shared real life incidents to illustrate the harmful consequences of substance use and encouraged students not to start such habits. He emphasized the importance of seeking timely help.
2. Dr. Rajiv Gurung (Psychiatrist, CAM):
Spoke about adolescence as a critical and impressionable stage of life. He explained how substance use negatively impacts the human body and provided positive coping strategies for dealing with stress.
3. Mrs. Bandana Chettri (Additional Secretary, Social Welfare Department):
Urged students to reach out for help when needed and shared helpline numbers for support.
The programme concluded with Ms. Susmita (Inspector, Social Welfare Department) leading a pledge against substance abuse. A question and answer session was held, and feedback was collected from the teachers.