Bhubaneswar: Every year 31st May is celebrated as World No Tobacco Day around the globe. This is an opportunity to raise awareness about the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke, and to discourage any form of tobacco use. The second round Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2016-2017 (GATS-II) by the World Health Organisation and the Union Ministry of Health, revealed that the percentage of non-smoking tobacco consumers is just double the national average in Odisha. As per World Health Organization’s report Tobacco smoking is the primary cause for lung cancer, responsible for over two thirds of lung cancer deaths globally. It is also the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition where the build-up of pus-filled mucus in the lungs results in a painful cough and agonising breathing difficulties. Apart from this, smoking also causes type 2 Diabetes, Liver Cancer, Tuberculosis, Vision loss, Colorectal Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Stroke.
The State Government has been made efforts for reducing the substance abuse. Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is playing a vital role in it. Odisha has a total of 34 Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) covering 29 districts. These centres are operated by NGOs and sponsored by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. These centres organize awareness program throughout the year to reduce tobacco use.
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) organized a sensitization workshop on “Overcoming Substance Abuse” at IMA Conference Hall, Unit-6, Bhubaneswar. The one day workshop was inaugurated by Shri Ashok Chandra Panda, Hon’ble Minister, SSEPD Department, Shri Niten Chandra, IAS, Principal Secretary, SSEPD Department and Shri Susanta Mohapatra, IAS, Director, SSEPD Department, .
A total of 200 participants from NGOs, RRTC and IRCAs participated in the workshop. All the District Social Security Officers were also present during the day long workshop. There were two technical session where the panelists discussed about Medical and Clinical Perspective and Community Based Intervention for overcoming substance abuse. A skit was also performed by the students of BJB Autonomous College. The play was directed by Salaam Jeevan. At the end of the workshop the participants enjoyed a dance performance by a group of boys from Adruta Children’s Home.
Other dignitaries of the department included Mr. Jadumani Mahala, OAS, Joint Secretary, Mr. P.K.Mohapatra, OAS, Joint Secretary, Mr. Ajay Kumar Swain, FA-cum-Additional Secretary and Shri Ambika Prasad Pattnaik, Deputy Secretary.
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