𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐳𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

…𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒛𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉

By Kezang Choden

In an effort to curb the growing threat of drug and substance abuse among youth, the Dzongdag of Mongar, Lungten Jamtsho, visited Ridaza Primary School alongside a team of officials to raise awareness on the issue. The visit, part of a broader initiative targeting all schools in the district, aimed to instill discipline and nurture responsible citizenship among students while preserving Bhutan’s cultural identity.

During the awareness session, the Dzongdag emphasized the increasing risks of drug use among young people and the need for early intervention. He outlined how substance abuse not only deteriorates an individual’s health but also contributes to academic failure, family distress, and long-term social consequences.

“Drug and substance abuse is one of the growing concerns today, and I believe it is our responsibility to create awareness, especially among students and young people,” he said, urging both educators and parents to play active roles in guiding the youth.

Addressing the students, the Dzongdag highlighted the importance of maintaining discipline and making informed choices to build a successful future. He stressed that education must go beyond textbooks, guiding young minds toward a life of meaning and responsibility.

To support students’ academic growth, the school received a new set of library books, intended to cultivate a love for reading and to strengthen critical thinking skills.

“Instilling reading habits from an early age fosters intellectual development and promotes curiosity beyond the classroom,” an official noted.

As part of the district’s awareness campaign, officials plan to visit all 34 schools in Mongar Dzongkhag within the year. So far, two primary schools have been covered, with outreach expected to expand in the coming months.

Dzongdag Lungten Jamtsho reiterated that awareness efforts should be age-appropriate and structured to engage children meaningfully. He noted that discipline is foundational to shaping responsible, productive individuals and highlighted the importance of consistent guidance through collaborative efforts between schools, parents, and law enforcement agencies.

“The collective responsibility of the community is essential in steering our youth away from harmful influences and guiding them toward becoming contributing members of society,” he said.

Ridaza Primary School has been actively promoting student-led initiatives on social awareness, including drug prevention. The school’s principal, Singye, stated that empowering students with leadership roles builds confidence and accountability.

“A strong influence can shape students into responsible individuals, helping them stay away from drugs while building a sense of purpose and self-esteem,” he said. “Discipline, respect, and hard work are values we continuously reinforce in our students.”

The school encourages students to take responsibility, show respect for their peers and teachers, and value both academic performance and cultural preservation.

Yeshi Selden, a sixth-grade student at the school, shared that the program helped her understand the dangers of addiction and its long-term impact on one’s life and relationships.

“I now realize how important it is to make the right choices. I want to help my friends avoid harmful substances and live healthy, purposeful lives,” she said.

Parents have also welcomed the initiative. Pema, a farmer from Mongar Gewog and father of two students at the school, said the program had left a positive impact on his children.

“Despite being busy with farm work, we are relieved that our children are learning valuable life lessons at school,” he said. “After attending the program, they even advised us to avoid harmful substances. It shows the reach of this initiative.”

The Dzongdag also urged students to give equal importance to Dzongkha and other academic subjects, emphasizing its role in safeguarding Bhutan’s identity. He voiced concern over the excessive use of mobile phones and social media, warning that unchecked exposure to global content may erode traditional values.

“Technology has its benefits, but without guidance, it can become a gateway to negative influences. We must strike a balance,” he stated.

He called on parents to maintain open communication with their children, stressing that strong family bonds are crucial in shaping responsible and culturally rooted youth. “Engaging in meaningful conversations can help parents understand their children’s emotions and steer them in the right direction,” he said.

The Mongar Dzongkhag administration has committed to continuing the awareness campaign in all schools, focusing on prevention, discipline, and holistic development. Teachers were reminded of their critical role in improving academic performance and mentoring students toward becoming ethical and responsible citizens.

The awareness program has already started showing positive results, with students and parents engaging more deeply in discussions about discipline, respect, and drug-free lifestyles. With community-wide support, the initiative aspires to create a generation of youth who are not only academically capable but also socially aware and morally grounded.