Uniformed personnel sensitised on substance use prevention

Dimapur, March 21 (EMN): As part of the national campaign towards a drug-free India (Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan), the ARK Foundation in collaboration with Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (NISD) along with Kohima district administration and Social Welfare department conducted a seminar on “Substance use- its ill effects and treatment” at the 4^th NAP battalion, Thizama, on March 20.

An update from the ARK Foundation stated that the assistant commandant, Lucy Yhome, chaired the programme, while the keynote address was delivered by the adjutant of the battalion, Wati, wherein he expressed concern about the menace of addiction in society and how it destroys the overall well-being of the person.

Stating that a person becomes unproductive and also spends huge amounts of financial savings due to the treatment of addiction, he urged the participants to be aware of the issue and also get the best out of the seminar.

ARK Foundation president, Ketho Angami, shared that drug addiction still prevails in the society and poses a threat to the young and vulnerable section of the society, including a large portion of the police workforce due to narcotic drugs and alcoholism. He stated that addiction has vastly affected the health and the lives of the drug users and the society at large.

He informed that addiction was declared as a disease by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the WHO in 1956 and 1958 respectively. He, therefore, remarked that the treatment approach should be towards helping the drug users rather than considering a criminal issue which is liable for prosecution.

He stressed on the need to work on primary prevention and also provide opportunity to those who are already into the habit to seek treatment and come to recovery. He added that recovery from drug addiction is possible. He also urged the young police personnel to stay away from drugs including alcohol.

He further sought support from the police department to enforce the NDPS act 1985 of Section 64A, which provides immunity from prosecution if the accused voluntarily seeks for complete treatment rather than only penalising drug users as per section 27.

Ilato, a recovering addict, shared his concern on how families and the lives of an individual is vastly affected by the disease of addiction. He also shared some of the treatment options available such as opioid substitution therapy and rehabilitation centres.

He also shared his life experience particularly his struggle with drug addiction for several years and his subsequent recovery process.

In conclusion, he advised all the youngsters including police personnel to never experience any substance including alcohol saying, “it is very easy to get into the habit but very difficult to quit.” 

It stated that more than 70 personnel attended the programme.