Our Reporter
Dimapur, June 7 (EMN): NSCN (IM) established a rehab centre 19 years ago at Heningkunglwa village in Peren district to reach out to drug abusers and set them free from the bondage of addiction.
The centre ‘Operation Salvage’ celebrated its foundation day on Tuesday on the theme “making the world free from the bondage of drugs and alcohol”.
NSCN (IM) executive member of steering committee and administrator of Operation Salvage, David Perie, recounted that the centre was established in 2003, and in the initial year, they initiated “counting operation” of addicts in Peren as many people were losing their lives due to drug overuse and increased reports of HIV/AIDS.
And that is how Operation Salvage grew, reaching near and far, following its motto ‘save life’, he said.
Perie acknowledged that with the support of community and churches, the recovery rate of addicts improved, although the numbers are still high at present.
He stated that it was important to inculcate dignity of labour among the substance users so that they become a self-sustaining community as there is stigma against addicts from the society.
“Drugs are a global problem, a vast growing market which is impossible to contain as the demand and consumption is high and in a house it gets difficult to control even one member addict as it leaves a family confused and in denial.
“We have become chemical dependent. Bootlegging is rampant in the state because of the demand and if the demand and consumption of the substance does not decrease, it will be difficult to control the availability of drugs and alcohol”, he pointed out.
He added that if an addict does not receive external support, it is impossible to treat the person and focus should be on treatment and prevention, while urging family involvement for better result.
NSCN (IM) member of collective leadership Rev. Puni, who attended the foundation day as the chief guest, asserted that Nagas were not lost people as ‘we have unique identity and history and have clear conscious’.
Lauding the service of Operation Salvage in transforming lives and the yearning of the addicts to recover, he maintained that only the NSCN/GPRN takes pride in speaking to the world about its rehab centre proudly.
Addressing on the role of community in combating drugs and alcohol addiction, Jalukie Town Local Baptist Church Pastor Rev. Dr. Mongzeung pointed out that everyone looks at addicts as the “sinner most in the society” and unless this perception is changed by the community and church leaders, there will be no change.
“It is a parental failure and most of the addicts may be victims of parental failure”, he opined and stressed on the importance of a parents’ role, especially of a father in children’s growth.
He shared that catching hold of an addict will not bring solution, but it should be through ‘redefining spiritual problems’ which he said was imperative.
It may be mentioned that David Perie, founder and administrator of Operation Salvage, had donated half of his cashew nuts farm to serve and save the addicts.
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