International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDDAIT)
26th June
On the 23rd of June, 2024 as we were preparing for this year’s theme ” The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention “, a mission to use Tourism to free Destinations from Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, taking help of connected platforms for culture, creativity and compassion. Hardly did we realize that we would get such an overwhelming response from the entire region of North Bengal and Sikkim. The initiative was taken by Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT) and Siliguri Journalists’ Club (SJC) with the support of Sumi Yashshree Hotel group. Culture and creative organizations like Bonomala, Kalpodip, Mango Tree Village Haat, Camping De Dooars, SITA and Mishti Events supported the initiative.
The Background
The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on June 26th. This day aims to raise awareness about the global issue of drug abuse and the illegal drug trade. It provides an opportunity to emphasize the importance of combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking in communities worldwide. Recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the significant challenges posed by illicit drugs to health, security, and development. It encourages governments, organizations, and individuals to take action against drug abuse and trafficking through education, advocacy, and community involvement. The theme for each year’s observance varies but typically focuses on themes such as prevention, treatment, and the impact of drug abuse on families and societies. Through campaigns, events, and educational activities, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking seeks to promote a drug-free world and support those affected by substance abuse.
Inauguration
The Inauguration program began with Prof.Dr.Debashis Dutta, Registrar of North Bengal University as the Chief Guest and Md. Faruk Choudhury on behalf of Siliguri Police Commissionerate, Dr.Debolina Kundu, Director of National Institute of Urban Affairs from Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi as Special Guest and Guest of Honour, along with Mr.Angshuman Chakraborty, Secretary of Siliguri Journalists’ Club, Mr.Sadip and Dr.Anjan Das as organizers being on the dais. Biswajit Roy ji welcomed the house explaining the mission of the program. The theme from UN this year being “the evidence is clear, invest in prevention”, ACT looks forward to work in convergence to create drug free and Trafficking free tourism destinations through compassion, creativity and culture. Sadip Lama ji spoke about his involvement with Deaddiction centres across the North Bengal and Sikkim and elaborated on the compassionate approach required for addicts. This was followed by a expression by Angshuman Chakraborty ji saying that the city of Siliguri is suffering from this drug abuse and the visibility is mainly around Railway Stations and similar areas. The city needs all citizens to create a responsible community to identify the cause and together with administration help in eradicate the problem. The Chief Guest, Dr.Debashish Dutta said that he will certainly include all possible means to eradicate drug abuse or Illicit Trafficking from the almost University campus and sought the support of the Police administration and the organizations present. He also spoke about NBU to partner any such platforms and create a model like that of ragging which has been successfully implemented in the campus. He also said that NBU has implemented outreach programs through CoFAM for communities in and around North Bengal to enhance the process. Lamp lighting, plant watering, painting with nail as a brush and poster launching was part of the Inauguration. Representatives from the Tourism, Hospitality and Media were also present.
Proceedings of the Day
Raju Nepal ji from Oodlabari who works on this subject for many years narrated the incident about ‘how drugs were directly related to human trafficking’ by changing the names of victims. Once a 18 year old boy from a small market town of Sikkim brought a school boy of 15 with him to Siliguri with the promise to provide him with a good job. He, the 18 year old boy went back the next day, but the 15 years old boy couldn’t be seen with him. The parents who had no idea about their son’s sudden disappearance lodged a missing diary at the local police station. Tracing the incidents, the Sikkim Police came to Siliguri and began the searching with the help of West Bengal Police. In the meanwhile the father of the lost child received a phone saying that a sum of Rs.2 lakhs must be immediately paid as ransom to the kidnappers who has his son and he was sent some photos of his son looking completely pale. Tracking the mobile call the Sikkim Police and West Bengal Police were in touch with Bihar Police and raided the house from where the call could have originated. They found the 15 year boy in the refrigerator, pale and cold, but was still breathing. They came to know that the 18 year old boy was an addict and handed over the 15 year old boy to the kidnappers just for Rs.5000.
Divakar Dutta ji who was an addict himself explained his journey about how a broken ligament broke his dream to be a Taekando champion and pushed him into depression, which was followed by drugs. His rehab process failed more than 10 times. Finally, yoga helped him with physical and mental strength, today he is a successful Yoga teacher, showing the way for de-addiction through sports, culture, spirituality and self confidence.
Dr.Mahadeb Mandal put forward his practical studies about how low income group resident colonies fall prey to drug abuse mainly because of lack of opportunities, meaningful engagement and parental guidance. He also pointed out that there are several online job companies who only offer jobs to girls at high salaries. He said that the girls, teachers and parents should all be aware that most of such sites push girls to be trafficked.
Ven Karma Vajra Lama, Buddhist Monk spoke about his experience about working on mental health camps in the Mirik subdivision area with the help of Doctors from Kolkata being organized under ACT by Salamander Ecotourism Society, locally. His finding was that the number of patients were in huge numbers and the local communities took this as an unrepairable disease, but after the camps several of them are better now and many more in the subdivision and few from adjoining subdivision are waiting for the next camp.
The session being moderated by ACT Secretary, Dr.Anjan Das called on the first speaker Dr.Debolina Kundu, who elaborated the fact that Siliguri in the last one decade has been one of the fastest growing cities and being close to the International borders at prone to the problems of Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Very articulately through statistics she spoke about the problems of fast urbanization and youth aspirations.
ACP Md.Faruk Chowdhury ji expressed that today after seeing the response, he his confident that with the help of such active participation, his department will perform more efficiently. He discussed several cases of Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking with detailed statistics and how urgently the city needs this platform.
The representatives of Unnati Foundation, Sandesh Dhakar Ji and Bittu Singh Ji through a presentation the way the organization performs with the active support of members who had a history of addiction.
Conclusion
The event was graced by the presence of more than 75 participants including leaders from different tourism associations namely, Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), Eastern Himalaya Travel and Tour Operators’ Association (EHTTOA) and Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI) West Bengal. There were responsible students and teacher representatives from NSS, Suryasen Mahavidyalaya, Salesian College, Siliguri College of Commerce and Modella Caretaker Centre & School (MCCS). Also, representatives from Sewa International Fellowship, Unnati Foundation, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) North Bengal, A.G.Films, Banomala, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) North Bengal, AIRAVAT nature conservation NGO, IITTM Bhubaneswar, Kalpodip, Mango Tree Village Haat, Visit Dooars 2024, Hoteliers of the region, Mishti Events, Sikkim Rural Entrepreneurs, Sikkim Swasta Sevaks etc. were actively participating. The people who called and said that they couldn’t be a part because of the road conditions, but confirmed their commitment to be a part of the committee were Mr.Suryanarayan Pradhan, President of Darjeeling Kalimpong Himalayan Tourism Confederation in Darjeeling, Dr.Sankha Sen, Secretary of Indian Medical Association at Siliguri and Dr.Satyadeep Chettri, Professor from Gangtok College who has a long experience of working on Drug abuse and trafficking as Sathi Sikkim.
The event concluded with the formation of a committee including the organizations present with an aim to raise the awareness about the global issue of drug abuse and the illegal drug trade and to encourage and support recovery of the drug addicts. The list would be sent to all the organizations present to confirm their partnerships.
Chairman: Sadip Lama
Co-Chairs: Biswajit Roy, Dr. Pompi Paul & Tannistha Roy Rakshit.