An awareness campaign titled “Breaking The Silence 3.0” was launched today at the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Auditorium, Kohima, spearheaded by ACTS (Aid Care Trust Support) in collaboration with the Assam Rifles and the Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland. The campaign focuses on mental health and substance abuse and aims to encourage open dialogue and action.
Special Guest, Limawapang Jamir, IAS, Secretary (AhoD), Department of Social Welfare, in his speech highlighted his responsibility to speak on a matter that transcends borders, cultures, and generations –the universal problem of drugs. He stressed that drugs don’t just affect the user, but also everyone around them. He pointed out that substance abuse in Nagaland is a growing concern affecting families, communities, and the future of society.
Speaking on the topic “Breaking the Silence on Drugs”, Jamir said the phrase is a powerful call to action—urging an end to stigma, misinformation, and denial surrounding drug use, addiction, and recovery. He expressed hope that this campaign would become a movement requiring a united stand against one of the most devastating yet unspoken challenges in society.
Drawing attention to the “Golden Triangle”, a major illicit opium-producing area in Southeast Asia (where the borders of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand meet), Jamir noted that it is the world’s largest source of heroin and other narcotics and that Nagaland, located along this corridor, serves as a strategic transit zone for heroin, methamphetamine (“yaba”) and other synthetic drugs.
He underscored that geography, porous borders, and socioeconomic challenges have had serious implications on Naga society. He added that youth-oriented drugs like sunflower, heroin, cough syrup, Spasmo-Proxyvon, and crystal meth are increasingly reported among teenagers and youth in their early twenties. The easy availability of narcotics has led to rising substance abuse, especially among the youth, he said adding, “The widespread use of injectable drugs has also contributed to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nagaland.”
Highlighting demographic data, Jamir said India has the world’s largest youth population, with about 65% under the age of 35 and over 50% below the age of 25. “This demographic advantage, often referred to as the demographic dividend, is a key factor in India’s economic growth,” he said.
Citing 2011 Census, he said Nagaland’s population stands at 19.78 lakhs, with young people comprising about 65%. He warned that this demographic is highly vulnerable to drug abuse, affecting many adolescents and children across the state.
He further said Nagaland faces a significant risk from drugs, high rates of early use, widespread social acceptance, and few recreational outlets and noted that unemployment and lack of meaningful opportunities contribute significantly to youth frustration. “This frustration unfortunately leads some young people to resort to drugs and substance abuse as an alternative,” he added.
Jamir extended his gratitude to the civil societies, NGOs, uniformed personnel, educators, community leaders, and even parents who take up the fight in quieter but equally important ways for their solid commitment in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
He also highlighted that the department of Social Welfare is committed to reaching every nook and corner of Nagaland with the message ‘Say No to Drug’ and ‘Yes to Life’ through various programs that will generate awareness on the harmful effects of substance abuse.
“As the nation observe 5th Anniversary of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) which was launched on 15th August 2020, the Department is organizing massive awareness program throughout the state besides Pledge taking ceremony in all the schools, colleges and institutions,” he underscored.
Major General Manish Kumar, IG Assam Rifles (North) who was the Guest of Honour in his address said that the launch of the third edition of the ‘Breaking the Silence’ campaign is an initiative that “speaks to the soul of our society”.
He said that this campaign, aligned with the broader vision of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, seeks to bring into focus two challenges that continue to impact lives quietly and profoundly mental health and substance abuse.
“The name of this campaign is not just symbolic; it is a promise—a promise to talk, to listen, and to stand by one another without judgment,” he said.
He further highlighted that over the coming weeks, “Breaking the Silence” will journey across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya touching lives in places like Khonsa, Longding, Changlang, Diphu, Jalukie, Dimapur and the Garo Hills. “This is not just a movement of people it is a movement of ideas, empathy and change,” he added.
He added that through workshops, art, music, interactive sessions and real conversations, they aim to create safe spaces where young people can speak, be heard and find hope.
With the launching of this third edition of the campaign, Major General Kumar hoped that steps like this continue well into the future. And as they move forward, they also hoped to broaden vision to break the silence not just around mental health and substance abuse, but around all stigmas that hold society back.
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Tadu Lunia, Femina Miss India Arunachal Pradesh 2024 , Bahun Nongrum Miss Meghalaya 2024 , Angelia Marwein , Femina Miss India Northeast 2024 all came together for the campaign and shared their speech on “ Voice of the Beauty Queens “ while Anon Konyak, Miss Nagaland 2024 read out the pledge for the campaign .
Earlier, during the program invocation was pronounced by Fr Innocent Pamei, Principal DBHSS and Vice Rector Don Bosco Kohima . Welcome address was delivered by Fr Dr Tious Varghese, sdb, Principal, Don Bosco College, Kohima. Lizila Jinger presented a special number while concluding remarks was delivered by Ainato Yepthomi MD, ACTS Connect.
