Dimapur, June 26 (EMN): Government departments along with different organisations observed the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ also known as ‘World Drugs Day’ across Nagaland on June 26 on the theme “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crises.” The day was observed with an objective to spread awareness about the physical and psychological impact of substance abuse, drug overdose deaths, and drugs-related problems across the globe.
Wokha: Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN) TI Wokha and LWS NUN Wokha along with the Wokha district legal service authority (WDLSA) and district AIDS prevention and control unit (DAPCU), Wokha, observed the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ at NUN TI DIC conference hall.
Speaking on the occasion, advocate Yanro Humtsoe from WDLSA stated that drug abuse remained one of the biggest threats to health and society and needed to be completely eliminated from society. He also spoke on the present scenario of drug abuses in Wokha district and informed that most of the drug users are teenagers from 20-18 years.
The theme speaker and NETSU programme officer, Zachamo Ovung, stated that the UNODC adopted June 26 as the World Drug Day to strengthen action and cooperation in achieving drug abuse-free and raise awareness on the major problem of illicit drugs in the society.
Ovung mentioned that due to Covid-19 pandemic, shortage of illicit drugs in the market led to price rise and illegal inter-state border crossing for drug smuggling. In order to address the issue, he has suggested setting up of OST dispensing centers, increasing the number of days for take away doses, and increasing the number of clients intact in OST centres.
Ovung urged the legal authority to decriminalise drug addiction and also eradicate stigma and discrimination against drug addicts. He explained that addiction is a disease and like any other disease which could be treated.
He further urged the participants, NGO, administration and stakeholders to address the addiction problem in order to give a true meaning of observing the World Drug Day.
Nzio from Users Network Wokha, while sharing his testimony, stated that IDUs/ drugs users faced social stigma and discrimination which led them to shy away from the society instead of coming forward to seek help. He also urged the society to eradicate social stigma and discrimination to combat drug issues.
Altogether, 26 participated from different organisations and government departments attended the programme.
Tuensang: Health department in Tuensang observed the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ by organising programmes in various blocks.
In Longkhim block, the programme was conducted at Baptist Church Longkhim Town with the school students from classes 7 to10, in which the family welfare assistant (FWA) of Longkhim, Yungmei Phom, shared on the significance of World Drug Day. She spoke on the effects of drugs and to say no to drugs. She reminded that drug abuse would make the students mentally and physically weak.
She further advised the students to stay away from drugs and also create awareness among their friends.
A quiz competition was organised on the theme “Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crisis,” where cash prizes were awarded to the first three winners.
Peren: The Peren Users’ Network (PUN) and Nagaland Users’ Network (NUN), in collaboration with DAPCU Peren and TFA TI Project with support from Jalukie Town Local Baptist Church (JTLBC), observed the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at JTLBC conference hall.
During the programme, retainer lawyer of Peren district legal service authority (PDLSA), Asungbe N Hau, has briefed on various legal services available and encouraged the youth to lead a life free from conflict with law.
Ihusing Liegise, JTLBC associate pastor, called upon the congregation to have self control and read the Bible daily so that they do not succumb to temptation.
Nehpu Hangsing, director of CCA, and Pausuigum, project manager of TFA TI project, also spoke on the occasion and assured their help whenever required.
Altogether, 54 persons attended the meeting.
Prodigals’ Home: Prodigals’ Home along with Social Welfare department and Dimapur district legal services authority (DDLSA) observed the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ at District Jail, Dimapur, with Imlibenla Mongro, clinical psychologist at CIHSR, as the main speaker.
Mongro stated that mental health problems get aggravated once a person starts abusing drugs/ alcohol and shared that depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorder and psychosis are some common mental disorders that afflict a person addicted to drugs.
She appealed to not judge an addict by his/her drug abuse status but view them as individuals who might have got entrapped in the world of drugs owing to some problems for which he/she did not receive help on time. She also stressed on the need to have a medical doctor on call in jails for prisoners with addiction history.
Keneikesangulie Zumu, district welfare officer of Dimapur, delivered the keynote address, while Sangto, DDLSA project assistant, spoke on the constitutional provisions protecting human rights and dignities of every citizen.
ACID: Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID), with support from MZF, commemorated the ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ at Assisi campus.
On the occasion, Vanita, trained nurse, explained on different types of drugs, its effects and the problems faced by an individual and the family members, while Pramila, director of ACID, explained on trafficking, why it takes place and the cause of trafficking.
It stated that 90 CRM children attended the programme.