NAHARLAGUN, 17 Sep: The first phase of a three-phase training programme on substance use disorder for doctors, nursing officer and clinical psychologist began here on Thursday, as part of human resource capitalisation in fighting against the drug menace in line with the Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyaan.

The training is being organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Drug De-addiction Society (APDDAS), Department of Health & Family Welfare, in association with the National Drug Dependence and Treatment Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi.

The training is aimed at enhancing clinical skills in the treatment of drug addicts, "and also attitudinal change of the health workers while dealing with drug addicts," according to a release.

Earlier, during a meeting, Health & Family Welfare Secretary Vivek HP had apprised AIIMS Psychiatry Department Professor Dr Siddarth Sarkar of the upcoming Mission Suraksha.

Fifty-five health workers are attending the training, which will be conducted in three phases, in Naharlagun, Pasighat, and Namsai. It is expected that some 300 health workers will be trained by the end of the third phase.

Prof Siddarth Sarkar, psychiatrist Dr Karo Teng, Pasighat DDC in-charge Dr Oson Borang, Changlang DHC MD Dr Kamlom Mosang, TRIHMS psychiatrist Dr Miso Yubey, and APDDAS APO DrKarpe Meena Lombi are the master trainers.