Proper guidance vital to keep children off drugs

By Ayushma Pandey

KATHMANDU, Nov 1- It is absolutely disconcerting to see how the trends of modernisation are fast making an impact in our society .In the attempt either to keep up with this trend or because of the compulsion to follow it, even children are now fast turning into substance abusers. Although this kind of trend is not something new since youths and adults are found to consume drugs and narcotics, it is alarming to see many minors turning to drug abuse for various reasons.

"Children as young as eight years old or even less are found to be addicted to drugs and narcotics. Mainly street children are found to be addicted to drugs", says Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Narcotic Drugs Control Law Enforcement Unit (NDCLEU).He says the recent trends of substance abuse among such children are found to be the abuse of organic solvents like paints ,gas, adhesives ; medical drugs like nitrazepam tablets which are also termed as ‘emotion-arousing drugs’. The abuse of hard drugs like marijuana, hashish (hash), heroin can hardly be seen among children, which is more common in youths and adults.

The Narcotic Drugs Control Law Enforcement Unit (NDCLEU) works to control the production of drugs and narcotics and also to control the supply of such products in the public. Since 1998 till 2001 NDCLEU has arrested 2,226 persons on the charge of trafficking in drugs like cannabis, hashish, heroin and opium among others.

One can find numerous places in the Capital, which serve as popular hangouts for minors and other persons who abuse drugs and alcohol. A small alley by the side of Bir Hospital is one of such places where teenagers and street children spend their time injecting and inhaling drugs. Bikram,a 14-year-old boy who was found taking a puff from his cigarette in the alley says, "My tension is released and I feel as if I were in heaven."

So what is inducing children to get indulged into this harmful habit?

The manager of Freedom Center , a treatment and rehabilitation center for substance abusers founded by late Father Thomas Gafney in 1976 , Rajendra Shrestha says , "There are several factors that lead these children to indulge in dreadful habits. Children who have not received proper parental guidance and those who are ignored by their parents resort to drug abuse."

Ignorance and lack of proper guidance are just two of several other reasons. There are reasons like family discord or dysfunction, financial problems, ego, clash or behaviour disorders that may push them to drugs. Likewise, there could also be a cause of frustration, Shrestha says.

Shrestha asserts that tangible services like therapeutic treatment is not the only solution to the problem but there should also be proper counselling to address their psychological needs. In this regard, the society also has a responsibility to remove the stigma attached to these people and see them first as human beings and thus treat them likewise.

Communist parties’ conference concludes

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KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - Nepal Communist Party Masal, Central Office issued a press release saying that a conference of all communist parties from all over the world keeping faith in the ideology of Maotse Tung recently concluded in an undisclosed place in Europe recently and the party represented Nepal in the meeting.

The release adds that Maoist parties from 24 different countries including Afghanistan, Argentina, Uruguay, Congo, Greece, Dominican Republic, Japan, Turkey, Norway, Nepal, Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, France, Bangladesh, Bolivia, India, USA, Luxembourg and South Africa were present in the meeting. Due to some technical and practical problems members of eight different aligned associations could not attend the conference, the release adds.

The conference endorsed several proposals about the present political and economic situation of the world and Communist revolution, which will be made public in due time, states the release. The release, undersigned by General Secretary of Masal, also adds that the conference denounced American action against Afghanistan.

Govt for bio-diversity conservation

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KATHMANDU, November 1 - The World Conservation Union (IUCN) here held a consultation programme today for the forthcoming meeting to be held in Montreal regarding Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA).

"The seventh SBSTTA meeting to be held in Montreal from 12-16 November could be another milestone in the process of regional co-operation and integration," said Chandi Prasad Shrestha, Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation speaking at a programme jointly organised by the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and IUCN.

Secretary Shrestha remarked that such discussions would help to formulate common strategy for the effective implemetation of Convention on Bio-Diversity (CBD). " The government has given high priority for the conservation of forest eco-system and genetic resources," Shrestha said.

National Planning Commission member Hari Shankar Tripathi said that the government had initiated bio-diversity conservation process nearly two years ago. "Poverty alleviation has direct impact on environment and bio-diversity conservation," said Tripathi.

Badri Dev Pandey of IUCN observed that such consultation would help to prepare the voice of South Asia region for the conservation of bio-diversity. At the programme, Dr Samundra Lal Joshi had presented a paper on ‘Conservation and Sustainable Use of Pollinators’, Madhusudan Bista and Dr M. Adhikari on ‘Plant Conservation Strategy’ and Tulsi Bhakta Prajapati and S. Tiwari on ‘Bio-Diversity Indicators and EIA’.

Kirati drama Jwalya Sudhai performed

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KATHMANDU, Nov 1 - A Wambule Rai langauge drama Jwalya Sudhai was performed here depicting how King Prithvi Narayan Shah got hold of the Kirat states.

On the occasion of Dashain and Dipawali,"Helepani Youth Group" organised a drama which mainly focuses on the courage and shortcomings of Kirat rulers Ghamanda Rai and Kwabja Rai.

The drama also depicts the effort and strategy King Prithvi Narayan Shah put forth in the unification of Nepal.

Kiratis of Wollo, Majh and Pallo regions could not give continuity to their traditional values because they gave importance to their lives instead of war and its strategy.

The drama performed in musical backdrop includes how the naivity of the Kirats made them lose their religious book like "Mundhum" and "Kirat Lipi". The audience enjoyed the dramatic context, traditional background, getup, simple language and emotional presentation of the characters.

The drama written and directed by local youth Bhuvan Rai"Anshu" was well-performed by artistes like Rewan Gurva, Akraj, Manashi, Lalikumar, Chandra, Ramesh, Kalpana, Damanu and Dimanlaxmi.

Security situation improves in Udayapur

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Hadiya (Udayapur), Nov 1 – Activities in the rural market Hadiya of eastern part of the district has resumed once again after security management has been improved to stop the possible terror caused by the Maoist insurgents.

The market of Hadiya used to be closed immediately after the sunset and the streets were deserted due to the lapse of security triggered by the intense Maoist problem in the district.

However the police station which was abandoned three months ago due to the possible attacks from the Maoist insurgency has been reestablished once again with the strength of modern weapons. The presence of police has now stopped the activities of Maoists and thereby improving security in the area. Since the security situation is improved in the villages and the business activities have riped again in the local market.

Apart from it people have begun openly condemning the activities of Maoist which they scared earlier. In an another move to continue present peace in the locality, people of this area of the district have decided to unite and retaliate against the terrorism spread by the Maoist.

"We have been able to openly criticize the Maoist and we will fight ideologically with them. The Maoist will be eliminated from here because of their own activities," said one of the local leader.

Expressing similar views Giridhari Dhakal, Chief District Officer, said that Maoist will be wiped out from the district with the support of the local people.

"Looking at the present scenario, it seems that Maoist will be wiped out from the district soon", said one of the police officer.

One shot dead over minor dispute

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BARDAGHAT (Nawalparasi), Nov 1 - At least one person was shot to death while another one sustained minor injuries on Wednesday night after a man opened fire in a cultural programme over a minor dispute between the two groups, according to the police. One person of Daunne Devi VDC has been arrested in connection with the murder.

The person who succumbed to the bullet injury has been identified as Buddhi Rana, 22, from Bardaghat bazaar. He died on the way to hospital the for treatment. Mithu Gurung from the same bazaar sustained minor injuries.

Rana was shot to death when he was enjoying a drama organised by a local Himalayan Cultural Youth Club. According to an eye-witness, Rana was shot on his chest after he left the site for home on his motorbike.

The minor dispute broke between the two groups after Rana lost his helmet and resorted to clash with his rival group, the eye-witness said.

The bereaved family members said that Rana was shot to death by Raju Gurung from Daunne Devi VDC. Police have arrested the accused for investigation. Others involved in the dispute are being searched by the police. Police said that the situation of the area was normal after the incident.

Ex-Kamaiyas to get land

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GHORAHI, Nov 1 – After four months of distribution of land ownership certificates, the landless ex-Kamaiyas are to get their respective lands allocated for them in the district soon.

Altogether 136 freed Kamaiyas from the Dang district are to be rehabilitated into two of the community forest areas of the Lalmitiya Village Development Committee. According to Bharat Kumar Budhathoki of Land Reforms Office Ghorahi, 26 bighas and 10 kathhas of land have been set forth for the ex-Kamaiyas and they will begin building houses soon after the Tihar festival.

Prior to Dashain, some of the field technicians and Kamaiyas were involved in delineating and plotting of the land in accordance with the number of the freed Kamaiyas, adds Budhathoki.

"After few days, the remaining work in marking and distributing the land to the respective families will start in vigorous manner," said Jokhu Ram Chaudhary, an ex-Kamaiya.Rapti Technical School will teach the Kamaiyas various job-oriented skills in order to facilitate them in professional works.

Government has also decided to grant a financial assistance of Rs 10,000 and 75 cubic feet of wood to each family of Kamaiyas in order to build house.

However, the District Forest Office, Ghorahi has not yet decided on the quality and nature of wood to be provided.

The final decision on the extent and nature of the relief materials to be provided will be made on central meeting to be held on November 11, informed Budhathoki.

However some of the Kamaiyas say that they will not be staying in the designated place since they have acess to other opportunities in Deukhuri, one of the prominent towns in the district.

Preservation of Mithila culture emphasised

MAHOTTARI, Nov 1(RSS) - Nepali Congress Central Treasurer and ex-minister Mahantha Thakur has called on all the people calling themselves the inhabitants of the ancient kingdom of Mithila to work collectively for preservation and protecion of their culture and tradition.

Thakur gave the call while speaking at a programme organized to mark the fifth anniversary of Nepal Maithil Samaj and library at Ekrahiya of Mahottari district here on Wednesday.

He pointed out the need for implementing a national programme in order to give representation to the people of Terai in all facets of national life.

Chairman of the Greater Janakpur Development Committee Narendra Mishra expressed the view that it is necessary to make greater efforts towards promoting the Mithila culture and civilization.

Founder president of Nepal Maithil Samaj Amresh Narayan Jha said that Maithil art and culture is one of the richest in the world.

Chairman of Mahottari District Development Committee(DDC) Tej Narayan Yadav remarked that the people of the Mithila region were economically, socially and politically oppressed.

At the programme presided over by Nepal Maithil Samaj and library president Prem Kumar Jha, assistant lecturer at the department of Maithili Pashupatinath Jha, former president of CPN-UML Dhanusha district unit Shital Jha, general secretary of Madhesh Jagaran Abhiyan Bhogendra Thakur, VDC chairman Nabo Narayan Mishra, Nepal Sadbhavana Party district president Skearnath Pathak and others stressed on the development of the Mithila region.