Kiphire is reportedly witnessing a concerning surge in demand for syringes at pharmacies from consumers who are said to be youths falling in the age group of 25-35. While it is not a hidden fact that Kiphire had struggled with high rate of drug abuse in the past, the present trend is unlike anything seen before despite efforts from different sections of the society to keep the youths away from the social evil.

Nagaland Tribune visited multiple pharmacies located in and around Kiphire town and discovered that the youths visit pharmacies, especially those run by non-locals, at odd hours of the day and demand for syringes. The pharmacists echoed that they know the reason why the youths threaten them and forcefully take syringes from their stores.

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A pharmacist who runs his pharmacy in the heart of the town said, “They even come knocking at our rooms and kitchen since we live attached to our pharmacy and force us to give them the syringe.”

When asked why they give in to the demand, he adds, “What can we do? We have to give them since they threatened us.”

Another pharmacist whose pharmacy is also in the main town street said, “They come demanding for syringe saying they need it for emergency patients at home or hospital.”

Adding to the reports of alarming rise in the demand for syringes, it is also reported that even Paracetamol, which is a basic medicine for pain and fever, are being purchased in unusual quantity.

A pharmacist said, “After I got suspicious about youngsters buying of paracetamol in an unusually large quantity, I stopped keeping them at my pharmacy.”

Local pharmacists are also confident that the drug usage in the district is on a rise. Though unlike the non-local pharmacists, the locals do not face harassment over syringes, most of them agreed to the fact that illegal drugs usage is at its peak.

A local pharmacist, whose pharmacy opened just a couple of months ago, said, “I have no doubt that drugs abuse by young people is definitely happening. I can see it.”

Several pharmacists appealed the district administration and civil organisations to interfere in this matter as early as possible, to take major steps to combat abuse of drugs before it is too late to reverse the clock. There is no doubt that drug abuse is on a dangerous high in Kiphire, putting the lives of many young people at stake.