Dharamshala: The Department of Health, Central Tibetan Administration, begins a three-day substance abuse review meeting and workshop for Tibetan school teachers on 26 July 2022 at Hotel Tibet in Mcleod Ganj.
The workshop cum meeting was attended by Secretary Palden Dhondup of the Health Department as chief guest, accompanied by Additional Secretary Jampa Phuntsok and Joint Secretary Tenzin Kunsang.
The department’s substance abuse and HIV prevention program coordinator Tenzin Sonam and the participants from various Tibetan schools in India also attended the inaugural ceremony of the three-day event.
Following a brief introduction on the workshop’s objectives, the Joint Secretary commended participants for taking part in the workshop before the address from event’s chief guest.
In his opening remarks, Secretary Palden Dhondup acknowledged the distinctions between participants of the previous substance abuse review meeting and the ongoing meeting, saying, “the current participants are younger in comparison,” which he lauded while highlighting the significance of younger generation’s contribution to the future of Tibet cause. Hence, he said, “the proper growth of young Tibetans should be maintained given their health as a primary factor for future’s efficacy”, which unfortunately was hindered by “substance abuses coinciding with mental disorder”.
Given the students as future’s hope, Secretary Palden Dhondup urged participants consisting of counsellors, teachers and nurses to focus on treating students with addiction problems through effective measures over punishing. In addition, he stressed poor mental health as the cause of increasing intoxication and substance abuse problems in the community.
Before concluding his talk, the chief guest pleaded with participants and facilitators to devise an effective solution for eradicating substance abuse problems in the community.
Additional Secretary Jampa Phuntsok conveyed a vote of thanks on behalf of the Health Department at the gathering before wrapping up the inaugural session.