Chief Secretary, J Alam, IAS addressing the gathering at a program on International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, 26 June, at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima stated that the high presence of narcotics in the State is a serious concern, with Nagaland not a producer but a transit point and a major consumption centre. To tackle this menace, he said that there is a need to catch the kingpin and take some exemplary action to send the signal that the Government is serious about this problem.
Alam said that apart from the enforcement and legal action, sensitization and awareness are also important, and added that the time for planning has passed, and now is the time for action individually and collectively, and the need to take eradication of drug abuse as a public movement.
The event on the theme ‘People First: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention’ was jointly organized by the Social Welfare Department, Nagaland Baptist Church Council, NNagaDAO, SLCA, and Kripa Foundation, Nagaland.
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Secretary of Social Welfare, Martha R. Ritse IAS highlighted that many drug users face stigma, discrimination which can further harm their physical and mental health and prevent them from accessing the health they need.
Ritse informed that according to a national-level survey report published in 2019, there are 6,24,000 substance users in Nagaland of which 1,11,000 users are children and 26000 users are female.
The Department of Social Welfare is contemplating opening de-addiction centres for females and young boys she said, adding that the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment also aims to open de-addiction centres in all the gap districts for which committed NGOs are required to apply through e-Anudaan.
Further, the Secretary of Social Welfare mentioned that under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign in Nagaland, the districts of Kohima, Dimapur, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, and Mokokchung are covered, and various activities are being carried out focusing on primary prevention and demand reduction.
Substance users criminalized, stigmatized, marginalized by society
President NNagaDAO, Abou Mere said that drug abuse adversely affects the social fabric of the State, with substance users criminalized, stigmatized, and further marginalized by society as a result they do not come forward to access health services to protect themselves from HIV/Hepatitis and other infectious diseases, without scientific evidence-based intervention substance use related complications social harm may progress increase into a public health epidemic.
Mere called upon the state government in prioritizing public health issues such as substance abuse prevention, and HIV prevention including harm reduction. He said substance users should be provided options for treatment, mainstreamed and social reintegration, options for secure livelihood, and strong information and support systems to prevent substance abuse.
NBCC General Secretary, Zelhou Keyho called for the need to address drug abuse as a disease and sickness and strengthen families, village institutions, churches, schools, colleges, and individuals.
