Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Tuesday said that parents should pay special attention to their children in the fight against drugs.

He also emphasized that Red Ribbon Clubs should be increased in schools and colleges to fight HIV/AIDS, because if everyone works together, Tripura can be made an HIV-free state.

Dr Saha said this while attending the state-level Bell of Awareness program organized by the Tripura State AIDS Control Society on the occasion of International Youth Day at Pragya Bhavan in Agartala today.

At the program, Dr Saha, who is also the Health Minister, said, “I felt very happy at this program that, with the ringing of a bell, about 6,000 students joined the preventive awareness program against AIDS today. We are really worried about the way HIV is spreading in the North Eastern region, including Tripura. Currently, Tripura ranks fourth among the eight states of the North Eastern region, and this position has become a matter of great concern.”

He said that those who take drugs initially get used to them, and later it gradually turns into an addiction. Therefore, one should be careful about these drugs from the beginning.

“Parents should be very careful in this regard because there is a tendency towards bad habits in student life. Along with good students, there are also some bad influences. Many times, even good students tend to engage in wrong activities. Those who first get involved with drugs themselves understand that it is not right to take drugs or inject them. However, after reaching the stage of addiction, that understanding disappears,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that parents should pay special attention to their children to combat drugs.

“It is necessary to keep a watch on where their children go and what they are doing. Along with this, students should also increase their self-confidence or morale to resist drugs. They should be determined not to associate with bad influences and should maintain a distance from those who lead a disorderly life. If necessary, teachers should be informed about this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have repeatedly spoken about building a drug-free India. In that direction, we have also aimed to build a drug-free Tripura and a drug-free India. For that purpose, we have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drugs,” said Dr Saha.

The Chief Minister further said that awareness should be created about the problems or difficulties that can arise from taking drugs.

Giving information, Dr Saha said that the AIDS Control Society has undertaken the task of creating awareness among about 2,31,000 students from Class 8 to 12 in about 1,187 government and government-aided schools. Awareness talks are very important to stay away from AIDS.

“So far, about 3,433 HIV/AIDS-infected people in Tripura have been provided with a monthly allowance of Rs. 2,000,” he added.

Health Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, Education Department Special Secretary Raval Hemendra Kumar, Education Director N. C. Sharma, NHM Mission Director Saju Wahid A., Health Director Dr Tapan Majumdar, Family Welfare and Disease Prevention Department In-charge Dr. Nirmal Sarkar, Tripura AIDS Control Society Project Director Dr Binita Chakma, and other eminent doctors and officials were present as distinguished guests on the occasion.