Engage children in various sports and daily activities to keep them away from drugs: Mr. Bhupesh Baghel
18-Jun-2022
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Chief Minister inaugurated a workshop on 'Prevention, Challenges and Solution to the Problem of Drug Addiction in Children'
Foundation Day of Chhattisgarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Chief Minister launched the new website of the Commission
The increasing problem of drug addiction amon children is robbing them of their childhood experiences. New lifestyle often comes with the facilities, which if misused can lead to dangerous consequences. One such facility is mobile phones. It is the responsibility of parents, guardians and elders to keep the children away from intoxicants. Children often mimic the actions of the grown-ups around them. Hence, it is the responsibility of the elders to create a healthy environment for children and lead by example so that they do not get attracted to the use of drugs. It is an important social responsibility. Chief Minister expressed the aforementioned views while addressing the one-day workshop organized on the occasion of the foundation day of Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Chief Minister inaugurated this workshop by lighting the traditional oil lamps. On the occasion, Mr. Baghel also launched the new website of the commission. He also released the brochures and 'Laika Mann Ke Goth' pamphlet to create mass awareness about ill-effects of drugs. He also presented citations to talented children for their distinguished achievements in various fields. School Education Minister Dr. Premsai Singh Tekam, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Vinod Verma, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Mineral Development Corporation Mr. Girish Devangan, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Mrs. Tej Kunwar Netam and members were present on the occasion.
In his address to the workshop, Chief Minister said that violation of child rights has become so common in our society that it is often ignored. He said that childhood is a vulnerable time. Children often get curious to try drugs in some way or the other. If left unsupervised, this curiousity towards drugs can turn into addiction over the years. This intoxication harms the physical and mental health of the child. He said that during the pandemic, children could not go out of the house, and that lead them towards mobile addiction. The violent online games and matured content on internet also adversely affects the their mental health. Giving suggestions, Chief Minister said that if you want to keep your children away from the mobile, you need to engage them in entertaining activities that keeps them physically and mentally healthy. Inspire them to play. If the children are at home, then teach them our traditional games like bumblebee, marbles and most of all, the parents of the children should spend quality time with children. Chief Minister also underlined the need to expand the implemention of deaddiction drive (presently underway in Raipur, Bilaspur and Surajpur) in the entire state.
School Education Minister Mr. Tekam said that formal education is being imparted in schools, with the objective to keep children away from drugs. State Government is taking every possible step to ensure that there are no drug shops near the schools. However, the problem of drug addiction among children is still persistent. Support of social welfare and voluntary institutions is required to tackle this problem. Counseling, camps and audio-visual media should be used to sensitize the children about the harmful effects of drugs.
Chairperson of the commission, Mrs Netam, explained in detail the steps taken by the commission for the protection of children. He said that in addition to the efforts made by the government to prevent drug addiction in children, people of the society should also take it as their responsibility to support the cause. Parents as well as other family members should make children aware about the ill effects of drugs. Officials from various government departments and institutions participated in the workshop.
