Mizoram to include subject on drugs abuse in school curriculum

Aizawl: As part of its effort to reduce drug abuse, the Mizoram government is mulling to include a subject on drug abuse and its prevention in school and college curriculum, social welfare minister Dr K Beichhuah said on Wednesday.

He said that the syllabus will be included from the primary level to the undergraduate level to spread awareness about drug menace and its impact. “Officials of social defence and rehabilitation board under the social welfare department are preparing the syllabus which is on the verge of completion,” he added.

The minister said that the new curriculum will come into effect from the new academic session next year. Beichhuah said that he has held talks with the school education department over the matter. “The education department has okayed the syllabus which will soon be tabled at the cabinet meeting,” he said.

The minister exuded hope that the cabinet will approve the proposal.

Beichhua said that Mizoram needs a new strategy to fight the growing drug menace in the state. He expressed hope that the proposed syllabus will benefit the students by sensitising them about the harmful effects of drugs and thereby reduce its abuse.

Mizoram is sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, with which shares about 820 km long international border.

In spite of massive efforts taken by the state government and civil society organisations, the state continues to grapple with rampant drug abuse, especially among youngsters.

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Over 1,520 people, including 173 women, have died due to drug abuse since 1984 when the first drug-related death due to heroin was reported in the state.

At least 56 people, including 10 women were killed last year and more than 30 people died due to drug abuse this year, according to officials.

On July 17, volunteers of Young Mizo Association (YMA) and state police seized 6 lakh tablets of Methamphetamine worth Rs 20 crore at Sailulak village in Serchhip district on the Mizoram- Myanmar border, which was considered to be the biggest drug haul in the state.

Although Spasmo Proxyvon and Parvon Spas were the main killer drugs till 2014, heroin has taken their place from 2015.

In August, chief minister Zoramthanga had sought the Centre’s help to fight the growing menace of drug abuse in the state

In his meeting with union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda at the national capital, Zoramthanga had said that massive efforts have to be made to curb the growing abuse and smuggling of drugs in the state since it is located on the international border and near the Golden Triangle (Thailand, Myanmar, Laos), which is famous for drug smuggling.