They Beat Drugs by Playing Football

Sikkim is mesmerising due to its natural beauty, mountainous terrain and its unique flora and fauna. But some of the youth made it hell due to their drug addiction. So in 2006, the state government enacted the Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act, providing stringent punishment for its use and sale.

Due to this legislation, many de-addiction centres mushroomed. But all of them had not succeeded in preventing this menace. Since the state’s youth have a passion for football, to beat the drugs menace, seven youngsters in Gangtok got together in 2014 and started a football club — the Unicorn Football Club.

Contacting the de-addiction centres, they brought in youngsters in the age group of 18 to 24 to join them. Today, out of the 22 players, 17 are former drug addicts.

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