CM Manik Saha warns students about HIV, substance abuse; says Tripura saw 103% rise in drug seizures in 2023-24
Speaking about HIV at a state-level programme titled 'Bell of Awareness' at Pragna Bhawan in Agartala on the occasion of International Youth Day, Saha said, 'At present, Tripura ranks fourth in the (Northeast) region.' Currently, the state government provides a monthly pension of Rs 2,000 to 3,433 HIV-positive individuals.
Warning students about how drug addiction does not happen overnight but gradually, he said, 'You (students) must be cautious when it comes to drugs. Parents should pay special attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi-ji and Union Home Minister Amit Shah-ji laid emphasis on building a nashamukt Bharat (drug-free India). Our government is also following a zero-tolerance policy on drugs to make Tripura nashamukt.'
'But it is not possible only with the efforts of the state government or any department. In this case, all sections of society are required to come forward to combat HIV/AIDS,' the chief minister said while urging to expand the activities of Red Ribbon Clubs in schools and colleges to combat the infection. At least 6,000 students from across the state attended the event.
Saha said the state government is also thinking about spreading awareness in schools about HIV/AIDS and the dangers of drug abuse by incorporating it in the curriculum.
According to the Health and Family Welfare department, Tripura reported having 1,845 people with HIV during the 2022-23 period, 1,790 people in 2023-24, and 1,185 in 2024-25 (till January this year).
In January this year, Saha said that according to the National AIDS Control Organisation's (NACO) estimation report of 2023, Tripura saw 1.12 AIDS-related deaths for every 1 lakh unaffected people in 2021 – a figure that reduced to 0.99 in 2022 but again rose to 1.08 in 2023.
Initiatives adopted by the state government to increase awareness about HIV include district-level sensitisation programmes involving the principals of 220 schools where drug abuse through injections was identified, an integrated health campaign in West Tripura district to identify cases of HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, syphilis in vulnerable groups, and using LED screens at 21 locations across Tripura to display messages related to HIV/AIDS and drug abuse through injections as part of a mass awareness campaign in January this year.
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