Department of Social Welfare and The Dream Team Nagaland held a programme in Kohima to address youth addiction and influence.
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KOHIMA — The Department of Social Welfare, in collaboration with The Dream Team Nagaland (TDTN), organised a programme titled “Beyond the screen: awareness through influence” at KAIRO Keziekie, Kohima, on Friday.
Addressing the gathering, TDTN president Nunese Sale said contemporary society is highly competitive and often place immense pressure on young people to achieve success, which, in some cases, push them towards addiction.
He said addiction is not merely an individual problem but one that affected society as a whole, warning that the future of Naga society would be at stake if a large number of young people succumbed to substance abuse.
Sale stressed the importance of events that bring young people together, saying such platforms enable them to support friends struggling with addiction.
He noted that youths often look up to influencers, which is why influencers have been invited to interact with participants during the programme.
He expressed hope that the initiative would serve as a recreational and interactive space where young people could exchange ideas and contribute towards building a better society and a safer future for the next generation.
Sale also spoke against the stigma attached to addiction and criticised what he described as societal hypocrisy, asserting that young addicts should be shown love, guidance and support rather than being subjected to toxic attitudes and punishment.
Acts Connect chairman Bendang Imsong said the organisers had collaborated with influencers because of their ability to connect with and positively influence young people and the wider public.
He stated that the objective of the event is to encourage participants to become the voice of society.
He invited suggestions and inputs from the youths, saying that their ideas would be documented and submitted to the relevant departments so that the state government could take their concerns into consideration.
The programme also featured an open session with artistes Shesalu Vadeo, Mezanuo Nyekha, ZT Slingshot, Keheteu Nuh, Lamgrace Touthang and Wati Katiry, who shared their personal stories and experiences with participants.
The session was moderated by Jongpongchiten, director of Sütsüng Enterprise.