WOKHA — Expounding that drugs, HIV/AIDS and crimes are interrelated, the deputy commissioner of Wokha, Vineet Kumar, on Saturday called upon the youth to shun irresponsible behaviour and live a healthy lifestyle for a harmonious society.
Kumar stated this during the launch of Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN) ‘CiTY Barn,’ a health centre, in Wokha town. He congratulated NUN and informed that the centre has came at the right time as the district is facing spike in use of drugs and related issues.
Kumar, who was chief guest of the event, expressed confidence that the centre would play a vital role in transforming the lives of many youth in the district. He urged the centre and the society to come together in reaching out to the youth, who are engaged in drug and other substances.
He called upon the centre to be a place of learning and create a success story. He also urged the centre to encourage former drug addicts to come and share their testimony, which according to him, might help the lives of people who are into drugs.
He further urged the centre to transform the lives of people who use drugs in fulfilling its purpose for which it was established.
In a welcome address, Lichumo Odyuo, DPO, DAPCU Wokha, informed that Wokha district has 325 individuals registered for antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment.
Kevizale-e Kera, centre coordinator, shared the concept of the centre as a youth friendly drop-in centre, where the team would identify youth who are engaged in unsafe behaviour. She informed that the centre would provide counselling, screen for HIV, TB and various services to the youth below 24 years.
Kevinguto Khamo, NUN project director, while delivering vote of thanks, highlighted that NUN is the first state-level drug users’ network in the country formed on May 26, 1999. He added that NUN was formed to serve as a platform in voicing out against atrocities meted out to the drug users and to advocate against criminalising drug users in the state.
He stated that NUN aims to provide and improve the quality of life of drug users and people living with HIV in the state by its involvement in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, development and implementation of effective policies. He added that NUN is an executive board member of Nagaland State AIDS Control Society, Health and Family Welfare, member of state steering committee for viral hepatitis, technical working group for TB, NTEP and also a member of the drafting committee of Nagaland state drug policy.
Representatives from Social Welfare department, ART, Bharat Scout and Guides, Mental Health District Hospital, Eloe Hoho, NUN-LWS Wokha, NUN-TI Wokha, DAPCU Wokha and churches attended the launch programme.