In its efforts to fight drug and substance abuse among young people in Arunachal Pradesh, the Diocese of Miao has opened a deaddiction facility for girls and women.
“Drug menace is a big problem across Arunachal Pradesh and it feeds on the future prospects of the nation,” said Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao during the opening of the Auxilium Wellness Centre at Namphai II in Changlang district on May 24.
The Salesian prelate described the center as “a dream-come-true project for all the people of Arunachal Pradesh, especially in the eastern part.” He said, “We hope this facility for girls will not only bring people out of addiction but also contribute to the overall health of the people all over Arunachal Pradesh.”
According to the latest national survey, Namsai, Lohit, Dibang Valley, Upper Siang, Anjaw, Tirap and West Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh are among the 272 worst drug-abuse districts in the country.
Ibom Tao, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Miao, said, “Drug and opium abuse is destroying our society and this center is a need of the hour because there are so many addicted people here. Merely arresting them and putting them behind bars is not a solution. This wellness center will be a great blessing and an asset for the people around.”
Appreciating the Church for this noble effort, Tao said The Catholic Church “wherever it has reached has contributed to the people with education, social service, and health care.”
He said the center is “an example of how the Church constantly contributes to society building,” adding, “Public and district administration should help, support, and cooperate to ensure smooth functioning of this facility.”
The Wellness Centre, with the latest modern facilities, has the capacity to treat 45 in-patients for deaddiction. It has a day-care facility for alternative therapy, sujok therapy, magnet therapy, acupressure therapy, and full-body wellness massage therapy available for both men and women.
The center, to be managed by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, has a dispensary to cater to the medical needs of the people in the neighboring villages, especially pregnant women and children, including a health awareness outreach program.
Sister Alphonsa Kurisingal, the congregation’s Guwahati provincial, said, “With this center, we commit ourselves to the healing ministry to provide the best care to everyone. Our holistic approach involves working with mind, body, and spirit for a complete change in behavior and attitude that puts patients on the path to a healthy and worthwhile life.”
Expressing happiness over the inauguration of the facility, Nongri Taidong, a public leader from Namphai town said the center is indeed a blessing for our people. It will bring down the crimes related to drug abuse in our district and beyond.
“We hope in the coming days the district administration grants necessary permission to make the center open also to men,” he said.
Established to mark the centenary year of the presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in northeastern India, the center will be headed by Sister Sudem Basumatary, a trained professional in dealing with addiction, counseling, and alternative therapy.
