Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) Punjab, Regional Centre, Bathinda launched a two days capacity building training programme for school teachers on the theme "Drug Abuse Prevention" at District Administrative Complex, Bathinda here today. This programme has been sponsored by National Institute of Social Defence, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi. As many as 50 teachers from Government Senior Secondary Schools of District Bathinda are participating in the programme.Interacting with the participants, Sh. Jarnail Singh, Regional Project Director, MGSIPA Regional Centre, Bathinda said that the Prevention of Drug Abuse has become a major issue of national concern and has attracted attention of central and state governments besides social voluntary organisations. This capacity building program for teachers is a part of series of endeavors being made by the Government of India and Government of Punjab in urban and rural areas. He said it is the teaching community which plays a major role in molding the lives and attitudes of students.
He appealed teachers to equip future generations with intellectual mind and positive thinking process so that they can contribute to betterment of society and eradication social ills like drug abuse.In this two days programme, the subject experts have been invited to give talks to the participants on various issues related to drug abuse prevention in the society. The sessions will be on introduction to Psychoactive substance use and Drug Resistance Skills by Dr. Arun Bansal, M.D. (Psychiatry) Civil Hospital, Bathinda, Myths and facts related to substance abuse and Basic Counselling Skills by Dr. Vikas-deep, Assistant Professor, Guru Kanshi University, Legal aspects related to drug abuse in India by Dr. Tarun Arora, Law Dept., Central University of Punjab Bathinda, Life skills to protect students from substance misuse and addiction by Dr. Amandeep Kaur, Principal, Govt. Sen. Sec. School, Gobindpura and Role of teachers in prevention of drug abuse among students by Dr. Nimmi Jindal Law Dept., Punjabi University Regional Centre, Bathinda.Mr. Mandeep Singh, Project Coordinator, MGSIPA Regional Centre Bathinda gave overview of the two day training programme at the outset of session.