Nagaland marked the International Day against Drug Abuse with rallies, awareness drives and calls for collective action.
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DIMAPUR/KOHIMA/WOKHA — Multiple government departments, agencies, NGOs and institutions across Nagaland observed the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday.
Nagaland Police: Nagaland Police observed the day by organising a mini marathon from High School Junction to Police Headquarters (PHQ), Kohima.
At the culmination programme, Director General of Police (DGP) Rupin Sharma called for collective action to combat the growing drug menace in the state.
Sharma said Nagaland remains highly vulnerable to drug trafficking because of its proximity to Myanmar and the Golden Triangle, one of the world's largest opium-producing regions. He said most narcotics entering the state are transported by road through Manipur before being trafficked to other parts of the country.
Referring to investigations carried out over the past three-and-a-half years, Sharma said many youths have fallen prey to drug addiction and warned that even experimenting with drugs once can lead to dependency.
He urged young people to stay away from narcotics, saying drugs do not solve personal, family or mental health problems but instead worsen existing difficulties and destroy lives.
Appealing for public cooperation, Sharma said the fight against drugs cannot be won by the police alone and urged citizens to share information on trafficking and peddling. Assuring confidentiality, he encouraged the use of text-based platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for sharing information.
Highlighting inadequate de-addiction infrastructure in the state, Sharma called for greater emphasis on professional psychological and clinical counselling. While acknowledging the importance of religious guidance, he said addiction is a medical condition that requires professional treatment.
Warning that an estimated 5.5 to 6 per cent of Nagaland's population is affected by drug addiction, Sharma said the state risks losing an entire generation if society does not act collectively. He assured that individuals who voluntarily approach the police for help would not be arrested but assisted, while the police would continue efforts to dismantle drug supply networks.
The DGP also administered the drug-free pledge to participants.
Mini marathon winners
Men's Open: Shiangyiu T (first), Kelengoto Kulnu (second)
Women's Open: Sangmo P (first), Cekrotalu (second)
Under-15 Boys: Vilaseto
Above-50 Category: P Kahuto
Youngest Participants: Vizokho Pfukha (11 years) and Ruulhounuo Kire (12 years).
Kripa Foundation, NUN: MLA of 9th Kohima Town AC, Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, on Thursday stressed that the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking ultimately depends on individual resolve, saying no government, church, parent or teacher can decide for a person whether to use drugs.
He was speaking at the observance of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, jointly organised by Kripa Foundation Nagaland and Nagaland Users Network (NUN) at the Red Cross Complex, Kohima.
Rhutso said anti-drug efforts should continue throughout the year and not be confined to a single day.
He maintained that personal will power remains the strongest defence against substance abuse, recalling that he had stayed away from drugs and alcohol despite growing up in the same environment as many of his peers.
He said individuals must take responsibility for their choices and noted that substance abuse has created a social health crisis.
Rhutso also warned about the spread of HIV through the sharing of contaminated needles and urged people struggling with addiction to seek treatment at Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) centres.
He encouraged families to support affected members and assured confidentiality for those reporting drug peddlers to the police.
Calling for a greater sense of responsibility, he urged youths to engage in community service, agriculture, entrepreneurship and skill development, and appealed to citizens to help at least one person recover from addiction each year.
Former Naga Mothers' Association president and Padma Shri awardee Neidonuo Angami highlighted the role of parents in guiding children, while NSACS Joint Director Dr. M Nukshisangla Jamir and NUN general secretary Neiba Kesiezie called for stronger preventive measures and collective action against drug abuse.
Wokha: The day was observed at Tiyi Hall, Wokha, under the aegis of the Department of Social Welfare.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Wokha, K Mhathung Tsanglao, who attended the programme as special guest, highlighted the devastating impact of drug abuse on families, society and the future of the younger generation.
He stressed that the fight against drugs must begin with awareness and education at institutions, churches and villages, adding that preventive measures are more effective than reactive responses.
While acknowledging the efforts of law enforcement agencies, Tsanglao called for stricter and more coordinated action to curb the menace. He urged the Lotha Youth Hoho to continue its anti-drug campaign with compassion and inclusivity, emphasising love and acceptance over stigmatisation.
“This war is against drugs, not against people,” he said, stressing that those affected must be rescued from addiction rather than ostracised.
Appealing to the youth, whom he described as the future of the district and the Lotha community, Tsanglao urged them to contribute positively towards building a better society. He also called on churches to promote inclusivity and support for victims, reaffirming the collective responsibility of making Wokha a drug-free district.
Member of Wokha District Legal Services Authority (WDLSA), Abigail Lotha, spoke on the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Act, 2017.
The programme also featured a testimony by Konathung Ezung on his recovery from addiction, a theme address by L Zachamo Ovung of YRG Care Foundation, and a short play by Santsuo School, Wokha.
Earlier, a bike rally and awareness programme on the theme, “Ride against drug abuse and trafficking: step up for a drug-free future,” was flagged off by the DC at PWD Junction, Wokha town.
Mokokchung: As part of the observance of Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah (NMBA), the culmination programme of a week-long series of activities aimed at creating awareness on substance abuse, commemorating the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, was held at the DC's Conference Hall, Mokokchung, on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, said that NMBA is one of the important pillars of Viksit Bharat, according to a DIPR report.
He highlighted the different dimensions of the drug menace, including both supply and demand aspects. Stressing the importance of awareness and rehabilitation centres, Verma said that the government alone cannot tackle the crisis.
He urged social institutions, particularly churches, to play a proactive role in creating awareness and extending rehabilitation support, advocating a collective fight against drug abuse.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mokokchung, Vesupra Kezo, spoke on the severe impact of drug abuse on individuals, families, society, crime, and law and order.
He said that awareness remains the key to combating the menace and briefed the gathering on the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Mon: The day was observed at Town Council Hall, Mon, on the theme, “Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan – Viksit Bharat Ki Pehchaan.”
Addressing the gathering, Superintendent of Police (SP) Mon, Kanchan Kumar Kanpal, called on the public to spread awareness about drug abuse and its harmful effects, stating that awareness is crucial in reducing addiction in society.
He said that self-awareness serves as a protective shield against substance abuse and urged people to cooperate with the police in the fight against drugs. "Together, we can eradicate drugs from our society," he said.
Dr Tingthong, Medical Officer at District Hospital, Mon, noted that drug abuse is a global issue that also affects Mon district. He said that the most commonly abused substances in the district include opium, ganja, sunflower and opioid substitution therapy (OST) drugs obtained through the black market.
He warned that substance abuse contributes to chronic illnesses, infectious diseases, and severe social and family problems within the community.
Konyak Union president Yamao Konyak and representatives of the Konyak Students' Union also addressed the gathering.