Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Twenty-one people in Imphal took center stage Sunday. They celebrated their recovery from drug addiction and their newfound independence. The Mamta Health Institute for Mother and Child and the Social Welfare Department hosted the event at the JN Dance Academy.
Groups including CADAP, Vision of Hope, and Spiritual Harbour joined the effort. They honored these individuals for breaking free from substance abuse and building stable careers. It was a rare public win against a persistent local crisis.
Takhellambam Rajiv Singh of CADAP said the state must view addiction as a public health problem rather than a crime. He warned that stigma often drives people back to old habits. Recovery needs more than just quitting drugs. It needs a paycheck. "Recovery extends beyond overcoming dependence on drugs and includes helping individuals rebuild their lives through livelihood opportunities and social support," Singh said.
Singh pushed the government to bake job training into its drug policy. He argues that the months after rehab are the most dangerous. Officials from the state Veterinary and Horticulture departments attended the session to show support for long-term reintegration.
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