Representative of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime - Regional Office for South Asia (UNODC- ROSA), Cristina Albertin witnessed the launching function held at the Information Departments conference hall.
In his inaugural address, the home minister asserted that Mizoram, despite being one of the remotest places, is not free from the menace of drugs and AIDS, which are spreading despite efforts taken by the government.
Saying that prison is not a place of punishment but of reformation and he wanted the prisons in Mizoram to be clean, the home minister welcomed the UNODC initiatives for prevention of HIV/AIDS in Mizoram’s prisons and stated he is hoping for collaboration in more areas.
Cristina Albertin explained the problems faced by North East India against smuggling of drugs from the Golden Triangle and the challenges for Mizoram regarding smuggling and health implications.
She mentioned drug trafficking and human trafficking are trans-national organized crime and reiterated the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach to drugs production, trafficking and abuse. Ms Albertin stated five district jails in Mizoram would participate in the training for the prison staffs and inmates. ''Complex issues such as ART treatment and counseling should be focused upon, and the training will be beneficial to treat the inmates,'' she said.
Dr Eric Zomawia, project director of Mizoram State AIDS Control Society (MSACS), described the support of joint United Nations programme in the ongoing Mizoram State AIDS Control Programme. Dr Chawnglungmuana, SHALOM project officer also explained the importance of prison intervention and the steps taken by SHALOM since 2002.
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