Agartala, Mar 14: Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday said that increasing awareness and vigilance are essential ways to keep the youths away from drugs and emphasized the crucial role of teachers and parents in this regard.

Dr. Saha said this after inaugurating a sensitization programme on HIV/AIDS involving Principals/ Headmasters and Headmistress of Schools organized by the Tripura AIDS Control Society at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala on Thursday.

"Children of the present generation are the wealth of our society, state, and country. It should be ensured that they do not get addicted to drugs and do not contract diseases like HIV/AIDS,” he said.

He said, the number of HIV/AIDS patients is increasing at an alarming rate in Tripura. On average, 150 to 200 people are infected with HIV every month. In most cases, it is caused by use of injecting drugs. To address this issue, people from all sections of society should come forward.

The Chief Minister also stressed on regular monitoring of children’s behaviour in schools.

Additional Secretary of the Health Department Brahmit Kaur, Director of the Health Department Dr. Sanjib Debbarma, Director of the Higher Education Department NC Sharma, Officer of the State NSS Cell, Prabal Kanti Deb and Project Director of the Tripura AIDS Control Society, Samarpita Datta were present as on the occasion.