As in the previous 3 years starting with 1999, the joint observation of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was held by Cuttack Police and Project Swarajya at Cuttack on 26th June 2002. To mark the occasion a Seminar was conducted in the premises of Nisha Mukti Kendra, the only Drug De-addiction Centre in Cuttack city run by Project Swarajya from 10 AM to 1 PM on the day, the topic of the Seminar being 'Control of drug abuse in the State of Orissa'.
The Seminar was addressed by eminent experts on various aspects of the subject, hailing from Police and medical science. A scope was also provided for an open interaction between the resource persons and the participants of the Seminar on various issues concerning drug abuse.
Initiating the discussion, Sri M. Akhaya, SP, Cuttack District observed that enforcement measures taken so far by the Police under the NDPS Act didn't yield the desired results. So the policemen are out to involve the local communities and NGOs for reducing the demand for drugs. The joint observation of the World Anti-Drug Day involving the NGOs is a reflection of the changed prospective on drug control measures.
Dr. Bana Bihari Panda, Ex-D.G. Orissa Police and a renowned expert on the subject of drugs was the Chief Guest of the occasion. In course of his talk, Dr. Panda observed that the NDPS Act 1986 contained many loop-holes, which resulted in a very low number of convictions in the Courts of law, compared to the number of cases registered by the Police. Moreover Dr. Panda warned that the latest amendment of the Act would make the Court more lenient towards the drug offenders in respect of granting the bail.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sharma, DIG Orissa Police (Central Range), who is a doctor himself and who had already served under Narcotic Control Bureau of Government of India was a guest speaker of the Seminar. Dr. Sharma opined that the present drugs statistics as provided by the enforcement agencies are of ad hoc nature and don't reflect the real magnitude of drug trafficking in the society. In view of the glaring failure of all enforcement agencies to control drug supply across the country during the last two decades, the emphasis was now being shifted to demand reduction strategy in our country in keeping with the global trends. The involvement of NGOs and community leaders in the Anti-Drug drive is therefore very much essential at this critical juncture, observed Dr. Sharma.
Attending as a Guest of Honour Dr. R.N. Mishra, an eminent physician told that everyday a human brain generates as much as 32 litres of alcohol-like addictive substance in the body itself, which has more intoxicating potential than that of say, morphin or any other drug. If a man gets used to the use of this natural addictive substance, he won't have to run after artificial drugs, observed Dr.Mishra quoting the American Nobel laureate and expert on de-addiction Dr. Williams. While it is futile to argue over why man takes to drugs, it is rather useful to help the drug patients overcome their addiction through Counseling and First Aid.
Another eminent physician Dr. Niranjan Tripathy, who was also a Guest of Honour on the occasion, quoted the Purans to say that excessive addiction to alcohol and drugs led to destruction of big, big empires. He warned, the present-day civilization might lead to a complete ruination, if the present growing trend of drug abuse is not checked by all-out efforts on a war-footing plane. Dr.Tripathy further told that contrary to the past tradition, when only lower classes of people used to take alcohol and drug, now the elite and educated people including doctors, government officers and business barons are crazy for drugs and drinks. Dr. Tripathy advised the audience to observe self-restraint and thereby remain free from the influence of the drugs.
Sri Abhaya Kumar Pardhi, Station Director, All India Radio, Cuttack in his speech admitted to the growing trend of drug and alcohol addiction in the apparently backward society of Orissa. He was surprised to see large number of drug patients among the prisoners of various Jails of Orissa. Sri Pardhi emphasized the need for wide-scale publicity of the message against drugs through various electronic media including the All India Radio and he as the Station Director was prepared to extend his full cooperation for the purpose.
Dr. Minakshi Panda, Lecturer Political Science, City Women's College, who was the Rappoteur of the Seminar summed up the talks made by different speakers.
The talks by the resources persons were followed by interaction from the members of the audiences and clarification and replies thereto by many speakers.
At the inception of the Seminar, the Annual Report of the performance of the Organization in respect of the drug abuse prevention programme during the year 2001-2002 was read out by Mrs. Dolli Dash, Secretary, Project Swarajya. The said report dealt inter alia with the problems and difficulties that the Organization was facing due to the lack of a permanent building with land under the ownership of the Organization.
On the occasion, Special Awards of commendation were given to Mr. Purna Ch. Panda, the best patient-inmate of the Centre and Ms. Darkshan Mahajabin, the best Social Worker of the Centre during the year.
Vote of thanks was offered by Mrs. Nirupama Jena, Vice President, Project Swarajya, following which the Seminar came to a close.