The Integrated Women and Children Development Centre recently organised a 15-day treatment programme during which the drug addicts were made to practise different forms of yoga.

First of its kind, the programme entitled 'Low-cost community based drug treatment camp' was held in the Maya Lambi College campus in Imphal West district.

A participant in the programme who asked not to be named, said, ''At first, it seemed ridiculous when asked to sit still and meditate with our minds throbbing from the pain of drug withdrawal syndrome. But slowly we realised how it calmed down our senses.''

A spokesperson of the IWCDC said besides giving normal drugs to addicts to detoxificate them, the rehabilitation process also included coginitive behavioural therapies like knowledge sharing inputs, group discussion, games and sports activities, skill development and counselling sessions.

He said addicts and their family members, who were also allowed to join the programme, were taught on the art of living and spiritual discourse on the Bhagavad Gita.

IWCDC project officer Sagolsem Rosul said the art of living course for six days during the programme concentrated mainly on the spiritual discourse on Bhagavad Gita aming to uplift the spirit of the addicts in overcoming the drug withdrawal pain.

The level of motivation and conviction among the drug users in giving up the drug habit was also enhanced through yoga and meditation as it awakened the inner self, he said.

IWCDC secretary Annie Mangsatabam said that campers had earlier objected to not being allowed to relax, but later they changed their opinion.

Official estimates put the number of drug addicts (heroin,tablet users and other forms of narcotic drugs) in hundreds.