The state of Manipur, a multi-ethnic state, is located at the easternmost part of India, facing tremendous challenges related to Alcohol and Drug Use. The state has the highest incidence of people affected by psychoactive substance use; primarily because of its porous international border, which makes the people in the state, extremely vulnerable to the menace and drug use and related issues. Many report indicates increase in the use of poly or multi psychoactive drug use in the state, among young women and children as early as 12 years in the last 2 decades. The state has a total population of 28, 55,794 (2011 Census) covering an area of 22,327 square kilometres. The state has an estimated 34,344 population of People Who Inject Drugs (Magnitude of Substance Use in India, 2019 MSJE). The estimated number did not take into account alcohol and other mode of substance use such as Oral use, Cannabis, inhalants or any other type which are not mentioned. The said population are much higher if these mentioned modes of use are taken into consideration. It is estimated that there are more than 1.2 lakh substance dependants in the state using one psychoactive substance or the other (Manipur Gazette, TRUST Guidelines, September 2022).

Assumed to be a large sub-section of the population in the State, Alcohol and Drug Users as a community face tremendous challenges with regard to earning and livelihood, more so after being rehabilitated, maintain sobriety or have left the habit of drug use or drinking.

Considered to be a special sub – population, which are hidden and hard to reach, little is known about any existing Centre of Excellence (CoE), Guidelines or Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs), or any best practice model which could be adapted exclusively for the said population on skill building and provision of job placements. Though there are opinions and views on “Why it should be done” about the said population, there is no existing official guidelines or SOPs on “How it should be done.”

Taking the above background into account, a pilot skill building training on decorative wall painting amongst the said population was initiated and implemented by Makers Foundation, Manipur, supported and funded by AKZONOBEL India. The main aim of the programme was to look at the outputs and immediate outcomes. The training was conducted rehabilitated drug users and alcoholics (who have left the substance for atleast a period of three months and not a current alcohol or drug user) in the state of Manipur.

Majority of the participants who attended the training gave the feedback that they have learnt something new during the course of the training and feel that they are confident of earning livelihood with painting as a profession. A group of individuals who have participated in the training formed a group – IPA IBUNGO painters.

Taking the positive outcome into account, a training programme amongst the target population was designed and scaled up to 400 students/beneficiaries The beneficiaries/Trainees include ongoing and Rehabilitated Drug users and Alcoholics in the state of Manipur.

Certificate Distribution & Dissemination:

Makers Foundation, CADAP along with the 6 Drug Rehabilitation centres jointly organised; “AKZONOBEL Decorative Paint Course Certificate Distribution Ceremony” at Makers Foundation’s IpaIbungo Mid Way Home, at LoitangKhunouMayaiLeikai, Imphal West on 22nd December 2022