Jamshedpur, June 29: Calcutta Samaritans (CALSAM)-Jamshedpur,�with support from�Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society�and in partnership with�Tata Steel�and Narcotics Control Bureau observed the�’International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking’ at Drop-in-Centre premises at Brahmani Road, Bagun Nagar in Baridih on Wednesday.
Every year a theme is selected to mark the occasion. This year the theme is�”Listening to children and Youth is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.”
Dr. Matin Ahmad Khan, (Prof. of bio-chemistry and HIV specialist) was the chief guest on the occasion, while other dignitaries present included Rahul Kumar Tripathy (Narcotic Control Bureau). The other invitees were mainly from the health sectors, corporate houses, different NGOs working in the related field, media people and other specialized healthcare providers.
The aim was to raise awareness on the issue of abuse of illicit drugs and its effects on the society. No individual, family or community is safe where illicit drugs take control. The Calcutta Samaritans recognized the importance of the community as the key stakeholder and established partnership with general mass and the civil society representatives to inspire people and mobilize support for a community free of drugs.
Earlier, the program started with the welcome note by�Kanchan Kumar (program manager), lighting of Diya, speech by A. Rajan (administrator), Abhijit Moitra (coordinator)�chief guest and other dignitaries. It comprised a series of events like prize distribution of the drawing competition (held on the previous day) by the clients, who are undergoing treatment, testimonies of the recovering drug users.
The Calcutta Samaritans is the only one of its kinds in the state of Jharkhand in terms of providing treatment cum rehabilitation to the people afflicted by the disease�of drug addiction and has been running the show for more than three decades.
The United Nations General Assembly, in the year 1987, decided to observe�June 26 as the��International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking��as an expression of its determination to strengthen action and co-operation to achieve an international society free of drug abuse.
