The Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) has urged the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to introduce Drug Use Prevention Education as a compulsory component of the school curriculum from Class V to Class XII, saying education is the most effective long-term strategy to protect Manipur’s youth from the growing drug menace. MSF raised the demand during a protest demonstration held in front of the SCERT office at Lamphel today.
Addressing the gathering, Roshan said Manipur’s strategic location along the proposed Trans-Asian Highway (TAH) and Trans-Asian Railway (TAR), as well as its proximity to the Golden Triangle, has made the state vulnerable to the influx of narcotic substances. He alleged that drugs have become one of the most serious threats confronting Manipur, affecting communities across the state and endangering the future of the younger generation.
He observed that while ethnic conflicts and violence have caused immense suffering over the years, drug abuse has emerged as a silent but equally destructive challenge. Claiming that almost every locality and household has been affected by the menace, Roshan said stronger preventive measures are urgently needed to safeguard students.
Recalling the anti-drug movement led by mothers under the “Nisha Bandh” campaign, he said community participation had once played a significant role in curbing substance abuse. However, despite the existence of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, drug trafficking and addiction continue to increase in the state.
Roshan urged SCERT, which is currently preparing the State Curriculum Framework under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, to incorporate Drug Use Prevention Education into the curriculum, syllabus and textbooks from the preparatory and middle stages onwards. He also appealed to the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (COHSEM) to include structured drug awareness and prevention education for students of Classes IX to XII.
Stating that the development of human resources is fundamental to the progress of any society, Roshan said educational institutions play a crucial role in shaping responsible citizens. He maintained that introducing drug prevention education in schools would equip students with the knowledge and life skills necessary to resist substance abuse and contribute to building a healthier and stronger Manipur.
