The combined Baptist Youth Fellowship Kiphire Town (BYFKT) organised a seminar on substance abuse on Sunday at Kiphire Town Baptist Lithro (KTBL) with Dr. Nungotso Vero, senior dental surgeon as the resource person.
Vero, in his address, reminded the gathering of the Bible’s reference that “our body is a temple of God”, therefore he emphasized that one should keep it (the body) clean.
Highlighting that there are many types of substances that can be abused, he said Nagaland is no exception where many youths are indulging in abuse.
Explaining that substance use has three categories- user, abuser and addict, Vero said a user is a person who is casually engaged in substance use often or regularly, while an abuser is a person who can be defined as someone who influences and encourage others to take part in the substance abuse. An addict, he remarked, is a person who has come a long way in the practice of substance abuse and it becomes an inseparable or most important part of his/her daily life.
“One should reflect and stop substance abuse before it leads to another and worst addiction,” the resource person underscored, while also citing different types of drugs and their effects on health. He said most of them affect the brain, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, the immune system, reproductive system and digestive systems.
Vero also maintained that war is not only about bullets and missiles, but another type of silent/hidden war in the spectrum that is happening inside homes and families, such as having to face a drunkard father, brother or sister, eventually effecting lives and society.
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Touching upon other forms of addictions, he also highlighted about mobile phone abuse, which is called nomophobia, meaning the fear of absence of mobile.
On the dangers of addiction, Dr. Vero said when a person lose his or her being (purpose), he or she becomes not less than a lower animal as there is no purpose or meaning in life.
BYFKT president Lemtsu Tikhir in his short address said that the youth fellowship after a lot of consultation and thought, decided to make a program for a sustainable awareness to the youth. He also explained that the topic “substance abuse” was chosen as the core focus since Kiphire as a district along with the rest of the state is facing a grave danger as many youths are involved in substance abuse.
He also expressed his gratitude to all the youth leaders of all churches and KTBL in particular for always opening its doors for the youth of the district whenever needed.
Hundreds of young people from all the churches under Kiphire town attended the seminar.
The program was led by Vichemshi Y Lamliu, and praise and worship was led by KTBL worship team.
