Press Release
Press Release from 3rd IRBn, Manglay
Information & Public Relations Department
A workshop on “Nasha Mukt Abhiyan” was conducted at the 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn), Manglay, on 11 September 2026, in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim.
The programme aimed to create awareness regarding substance abuse, addiction, mental health, and the importance of maintaining a healthy and drug-free environment.
The programme was attended by 146 personnel, including officers and officials of the 3rd IRBn from different SAGs.
Shri Ram Kumar Tamang, Joint Director, Social Welfare Department, and Dr. Satish Rasaily, Senior Consultant, Centre for Addiction Medicine, Chuwatar, West Pandam, attended the programme as Special Guests and Resource Persons.
Address by the Commandant
Addressing the gathering, the Commandant, 3rd IRBn, emphasised that, in view of the increasing prevalence of substance abuse in society, it is the collective responsibility of everyone, particularly members of a disciplined uniformed force, to remain vigilant and adopt appropriate preventive measures.
She further stated that any personnel of the Battalion who may be struggling with substance use or mental health concerns should come forward without hesitation and seek appropriate counselling and professional assistance. She emphasised that seeking help should not be viewed as a weakness, but as an important step towards recovery and well-being.
The Commandant also requested the resource persons to give due emphasis to online gaming addiction and its potential impact on mental health. She requested the Social Welfare Department to consider deputing a Clinical Psychologist to the Battalion Headquarters (BHQ), Manglay, once every month to provide regular counselling and psychological support to personnel.
It was also informed that various welfare and health-related programmes would be organised in the coming weeks and months in coordination with the AYUSH Department, along with dental health check-up programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ram Kumar Tamang, Joint Director, Social Welfare Department, emphasized that, as members of a uniformed police force and responsible citizens, it is the duty of all personnel to contribute towards creating a healthy and drug-free society.
He also highlighted the importance of extending support, empathy and appropriate assistance to individuals affected by substance use and encouraged personnel to seek professional help whenever required.
Dr. Satish Rasaily, Senior Consultant, Centre for Addiction Medicine, delivered an awareness session on substance dependence, with particular emphasis on alcohol, cannabis and opioid dependence. He discussed the harmful consequences associated with these substances and addressed several common myths and misconceptions prevalent among the general public.
He also explained the distinction between medicines, drugs, psychotropic substances and contraband substances, and discussed the difference between evidence-based medical and psychological treatment and rehabilitation. He emphasised that rehabilitation is an important component of recovery, but should not be considered a substitute for appropriate medical and psychological treatment.
Dr. Rasaily highlighted that overcoming substance dependence requires motivation, commitment and active participation from the individual, but emphasised that addiction should not be viewed simply as a failure of willpower. With advances in addiction medicine, several effective evidence-based treatment options are now available, making it possible to manage substance dependence more effectively than in the past.
He further emphasised the importance of outpatient treatment, short-term structured admissions when clinically indicated, psychosocial interventions and relapse-prevention strategies, rather than relying solely on prolonged institutional or custodial rehabilitation.
He explained that a controlled rehabilitation environment can temporarily protect an individual from triggers such as easy access to alcohol or drugs, substance-using peers, occupational stress and personal responsibilities.
However, after discharge, individuals have to return to their usual environment and face these triggers in real-life situations. Therefore, merely remaining abstinent within a controlled environment does not necessarily equip a person to maintain long-term recovery.
According to Dr. Rasaily, relapse prevention is therefore a key component of the long-term management of substance dependence. Individuals need to develop practical coping skills and have access to continuing medical and psychological support after discharge.
He highlighted that international scientific evidence, including recommendations from the World Health Organisation, supports evidence-based medical treatment for opioid dependence, including appropriate pharmacological treatment, rather than approaches based exclusively on willpower, personal choice or prolonged confinement.
He emphasised that while personal motivation and commitment are important, addiction cannot always be overcome simply through determination. Medical and psychological interventions are particularly important in the management of alcohol, cannabis and opioid dependence, as well as in preventing and managing relapse.
Dr. Rasaily encouraged individuals, families and communities to become more receptive to modern, evidence-based treatment approaches, which can improve treatment outcomes and help individuals return to productive and healthy lives.
Awareness Regarding Multidrug Urine Testing.
Dr. Rasaily also demonstrated the use of a multidrug urine screening kit and explained its potential role in substance-use monitoring. He informed the participants that such screening kits can detect multiple commonly misused substances within a short period and are relatively simple to administer and interpret following appropriate training.
He explained that, when used appropriately as part of a comprehensive treatment and monitoring programme, urine drug screening can assist healthcare professionals in detecting ongoing substance use and identifying possible relapse at an early stage.
However, he emphasized that screening should complement, and not replace, clinical assessment, counselling and therapeutic interventions.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Rasaily urged personnel who may be experiencing difficulties related to substance use or mental health to seek timely professional assistance rather than suffering in silence. He encouraged the police force to promote a supportive environment in which personnel can approach appropriate healthcare professionals for mental-health and addiction-related concerns without fear of stigma.
The programme concluded at 1400 hours with the administration of a pledge by all participants, reaffirming their commitment to remain free from substance abuse and to contribute towards building a healthy, disciplined and drug-free society.
The programme served as an important platform for strengthening awareness among police personnel regarding substance abuse, addiction, mental health, early intervention and the importance of evidence-based treatment and relapse prevention.
The programme aimed to create awareness regarding substance abuse, addiction, mental health, and the importance of maintaining a healthy and drug-free environment.
The programme was attended by 146 personnel, including officers and officials of the 3rd IRBn from different SAGs.
Shri Ram Kumar Tamang, Joint Director, Social Welfare Department, and Dr. Satish Rasaily, Senior Consultant, Centre for Addiction Medicine, Chuwatar, West Pandam, attended the programme as Special Guests and Resource Persons.
Address by the Commandant
Addressing the gathering, the Commandant, 3rd IRBn, emphasised that, in view of the increasing prevalence of substance abuse in society, it is the collective responsibility of everyone, particularly members of a disciplined uniformed force, to remain vigilant and adopt appropriate preventive measures.
She further stated that any personnel of the Battalion who may be struggling with substance use or mental health concerns should come forward without hesitation and seek appropriate counselling and professional assistance. She emphasised that seeking help should not be viewed as a weakness, but as an important step towards recovery and well-being.
The Commandant also requested the resource persons to give due emphasis to online gaming addiction and its potential impact on mental health. She requested the Social Welfare Department to consider deputing a Clinical Psychologist to the Battalion Headquarters (BHQ), Manglay, once every month to provide regular counselling and psychological support to personnel.
It was also informed that various welfare and health-related programmes would be organised in the coming weeks and months in coordination with the AYUSH Department, along with dental health check-up programmes.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ram Kumar Tamang, Joint Director, Social Welfare Department, emphasized that, as members of a uniformed police force and responsible citizens, it is the duty of all personnel to contribute towards creating a healthy and drug-free society.
He also highlighted the importance of extending support, empathy and appropriate assistance to individuals affected by substance use and encouraged personnel to seek professional help whenever required.
Dr. Satish Rasaily, Senior Consultant, Centre for Addiction Medicine, delivered an awareness session on substance dependence, with particular emphasis on alcohol, cannabis and opioid dependence. He discussed the harmful consequences associated with these substances and addressed several common myths and misconceptions prevalent among the general public.
He also explained the distinction between medicines, drugs, psychotropic substances and contraband substances, and discussed the difference between evidence-based medical and psychological treatment and rehabilitation. He emphasised that rehabilitation is an important component of recovery, but should not be considered a substitute for appropriate medical and psychological treatment.
Dr. Rasaily highlighted that overcoming substance dependence requires motivation, commitment and active participation from the individual, but emphasised that addiction should not be viewed simply as a failure of willpower. With advances in addiction medicine, several effective evidence-based treatment options are now available, making it possible to manage substance dependence more effectively than in the past.
He further emphasised the importance of outpatient treatment, short-term structured admissions when clinically indicated, psychosocial interventions and relapse-prevention strategies, rather than relying solely on prolonged institutional or custodial rehabilitation.
He explained that a controlled rehabilitation environment can temporarily protect an individual from triggers such as easy access to alcohol or drugs, substance-using peers, occupational stress and personal responsibilities.
However, after discharge, individuals have to return to their usual environment and face these triggers in real-life situations. Therefore, merely remaining abstinent within a controlled environment does not necessarily equip a person to maintain long-term recovery.
According to Dr. Rasaily, relapse prevention is therefore a key component of the long-term management of substance dependence. Individuals need to develop practical coping skills and have access to continuing medical and psychological support after discharge.
He highlighted that international scientific evidence, including recommendations from the World Health Organisation, supports evidence-based medical treatment for opioid dependence, including appropriate pharmacological treatment, rather than approaches based exclusively on willpower, personal choice or prolonged confinement.
He emphasised that while personal motivation and commitment are important, addiction cannot always be overcome simply through determination. Medical and psychological interventions are particularly important in the management of alcohol, cannabis and opioid dependence, as well as in preventing and managing relapse.
Dr. Rasaily encouraged individuals, families and communities to become more receptive to modern, evidence-based treatment approaches, which can improve treatment outcomes and help individuals return to productive and healthy lives.
Awareness Regarding Multidrug Urine Testing.
Dr. Rasaily also demonstrated the use of a multidrug urine screening kit and explained its potential role in substance-use monitoring. He informed the participants that such screening kits can detect multiple commonly misused substances within a short period and are relatively simple to administer and interpret following appropriate training.
He explained that, when used appropriately as part of a comprehensive treatment and monitoring programme, urine drug screening can assist healthcare professionals in detecting ongoing substance use and identifying possible relapse at an early stage.
However, he emphasized that screening should complement, and not replace, clinical assessment, counselling and therapeutic interventions.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Rasaily urged personnel who may be experiencing difficulties related to substance use or mental health to seek timely professional assistance rather than suffering in silence. He encouraged the police force to promote a supportive environment in which personnel can approach appropriate healthcare professionals for mental-health and addiction-related concerns without fear of stigma.
The programme concluded at 1400 hours with the administration of a pledge by all participants, reaffirming their commitment to remain free from substance abuse and to contribute towards building a healthy, disciplined and drug-free society.
The programme served as an important platform for strengthening awareness among police personnel regarding substance abuse, addiction, mental health, early intervention and the importance of evidence-based treatment and relapse prevention.
