IMPHAL, June 27 (NNN): An Imphal-based organization has bagged this year’s National Award for Best Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts.
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment conferred the award to Rural Health Organisation (RHO), Naoremthong Laishram Leirak.
President of India, Pranab Mukherjee presented the award to RHO general secretary Dr Heigrujam Indramani during a function at Bigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which was observed yesterday.
The award has been given in recognition of the outstanding works undertaken by the RHO in the field of prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse.
The organization had received various other National and State awards in the past like National Award for Child Welfare 2003, Spirit of Humanity Award 2014 in Women Health Category and Environment Award 2015.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at GM Hall here, state social welfare minister AK Mirabai Devi announced that the government was formulating a state policy to make a drug-free and healthy society.
Towards that end, she said, the government, NGOs and social organizations would work together to achieve the goal.
The minister said the rising drug use among adolescents in the state has been a major cause of concern. She appealed to all NGOs and social organisations to initiate a holistic effort to eradicate the drug menace.
Manipur has registered highest prevalence of drug abuse next to Punjab. The state had also reported major drug seizures in the recent past.
