Port Blair, June 26: To mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit Trafficking, The Directorate of Health Services in association with Directorate of Social Welfare and SAATHI an NGO conducted a program in the GB Pant Hospital Auditorium on 26th June 2001 at 10.30 AM. 
 
On this occasion Shri Sanjay Baniwal, IPS, IGP ANP was the chief guest, Guest of Honour Dr. M. K Saha, MS GB Pant Hospital Port Blair and Shri Mohd Jadwet, Coordinator SAATHI as Special guest. Other dignitaries present were Dr. R Thulsidasan, Gen Secretary Red Cross Society, ANI and Shri SK Halder, Joint Secretary Cum Director, Social Welfare Department and Dr Avijit Roy, Deputy Director (Health & HE).
 
The gathering was welcomed by Shri R.K Majhi, Superintendant Juvenile Home. Dr Avijit Roy in his speech focused about the ill effects of drugs and various patterns of drug addictions in particular problems in these islands and the mode of prevention and containment. Dr. S.K Halder has focused on the role of society and action social welfare department in drug addiction. He also appealed the Aganwadi workers, Nursing and other staffs of DHS and the students of Nursing faculty who were present in the program to take pledge to combat the issue of drug addiction.
 
Dr. MK Saha focused on the medical aspects of the drug addiction and has asked to fight the same.
 
The Chief Guest has distributed the prizes to the winners of Essay, Speech and slogan competition held on 21.06.2011 at GB Pant Hospital as part of today’s celebration.
 
In his address the Chief Guest has focused on the scenario before a decade and the present scenario regarding child care by parents and the present scenario & drug addiction. He also focused on the problems of proper parental care for avoidance of drug addiction. He advised the parents to take care of the kids as a part of proper parenting. He also said that due to change in society especially the economic change of these islands has created new problems to the younger generation and so as the drug addiction.
 
The program concluded by vote of thanks by Shri P. Yusuf, Health Educator, DHS.