The International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking was observed with the theme ‘People First: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention’ at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on 26th June 2023. The event was jointly organized by the Social Welfare Department, Nagaland Baptist Church Council, NNagaDAO, SLCA, and Kripa Foundation, Nagaland.
Director General of Police, Rupin Sharma IPS, speaking on the occasion, said that with around 30,000, opioid users in the State, Rs. 550 crore is spent daily, which is not a small amount considering the State’s economy and is a huge problem for the State. He said that the best way to handle the problem is to own up and look at drug abusers not as criminals but as diseased or sick people who need treatment.
He added, "This becomes a problem as they are not merely drug users but also drug traffickers and peddlers, with a close-knit network, which is a major stumbling block the police and law enforcement agencies face." He appealed to the abuser to help himself by revealing the drug seller and help break the nexus of drug trafficking and share information with drug-fighting agencies to help break the cycle.
Rupin Sharma stated that the Police are open to all help in fighting the drug problem but cautioned against taking the law into their own hands, he said that any civilian who is aware of a crime can intervene and detain a person, however, it is his duty to inform the police immediately. He stated that data on drug abuse and crime is distorted, and the magnitude of the problem is not known which makes it difficult to put mechanisms into place to address the problem, therefore he requested all NGOs, civil societies to get involved and inform the law enforcement agency to help the government to develop better policy.
The DGP shared that the Police have prepared an app for the public where anyone can inform the police about drug users and traffickers, one can anonymously put data and appealed to everyone to join in the effort for the safety, well-being, and health of the entire society is at stake, adding that if there is no intervention now, we will not be able to intervene at all.
Chief Secretary, J Alam IAS addressing the gathering 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 center. 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. He 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.
Secretary of Social Welfare, Martha R. Ritse IAS highlighting the International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking said it is observed since 1989 with the objective to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve a world free of drug abuse. She stated 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. With this year’s theme, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of treating substance abuse with respect and empathy, offering alternatives to punishment, prioritizing prevention, empowering young people and communities to prevent drug use and addiction, and combatting discrimination and stigmatization against them and their families by promoting respectful and non-judgemental languages and attitudes.
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. 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. Under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign in Nagaland, Kohima, Dimapur, Mon, Phek, Tuensang, and Mokokchung are covered and various activities are being carried out focusing on primary prevention and demand reduction.
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. He 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 speaking on the issue said it is of great importance, and that if we want to make our society drug free we must act, stating that the drug culture present in the society is because of the culture of greed and selfishness. He called for the need to address drug abuse as a disease and sickness and strengthen families, village institutions, churches, schools, colleges, and individuals.
(Nouneseno, IA)
