In a concerted effort to address the alarming rise in substance abuse among the youths of Nagaland and to create awareness on the issue, Department of Social Welfare (DoSE) conducted seminar on substance abuse across the state.
31% of users fall within 17-20 years
One day awareness seminar on substance abuse held on November 15 at CTS Hall, Tuensang Town aimed equip participants with insights into understanding addiction, the nature and types of substance abuse, and effective prevention and management strategies.
Speaking at the seminar on “understanding addiction and nature and type of substance abuse”, resource person, Thapli, a counsellor from Integrated Development Society (IDS) Tuensang, said “data collected” from Nagaland indicated that 31% of users fall within the age range of 17-20.
Underscoring the chronic nature of drug addiction, he revealed that individuals as young as 13-14 years old are abusing drugs in the state. Thapli pointed out that, at the grassroots level, students are increasingly falling prey to substance abuse, contributing to India’s unenviable position as the number one country in drug abuse globally.
Drawing on his extensive experience of ten years with Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) and over a decade with IDS, Thapli shed light on the historical context of drug abuse in Nagaland. He emphasized the two broad categories of drugs—legal and non-legal—and highlighted the emergence of drug abuse as an epidemic in the late 1980s. Thapli spoke passionately about the stigmatization faced by drug users today, contrasting it with the “fashionable” perception in the 80s.
“In the 80s, drug abuse was seen as a fashion statement—thought of as handsome and wealthy individuals. Today, it is stigmatized,” Thapli stated, emphasizing the drastic shift in societal attitudes. He explored the reasons why individuals struggle to quit drug addiction, attributing it to the release of dopamine signalling in the brain, reinforcing the urge to consume more drugs.
Another resource person, P Ramtsula, a counsellor from Good Will Society, Drug De-Addiction Centre, Tuensang, spoke on “prevention and management of substance abuse.”
Ramtsula stressed the need for increased support for users, advocating for proactive care, and engagement in activities to identify and address substance abuse at its initial stages.
District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Tuensang said the seminar served as a crucial step towards fostering a community-driven approach to combating substance abuse and ensuring the well-being of the youth in the region.
Importance of prevention & counselling highlighted
The importance of prevention and counselling to address the increasing number of substance abuse cases were highlighted during one day seminar on substance abuse for various organised for various Child Care Institutions, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Longleng and Stakeholders of Longleng district on November 15 at DCPU Longleng Office.
Speaking as the resource person on the topic, “nature and types of substance abuse counselling in a CCI set up and the prevention and management of substance abuse,” Jr. specialist District Hospital Longleng, Dr. Joshua L said it was necessary to change the patient’s perspective in order to intervene for treatment. He said “family-based prevention” was the best prevention while underscoring the importance of school and community-based prevention.
Highlighting the importance of counselling, Dr. Joshua said counselling was the best treatment for children below 18 years because there are less therapies for them.
Zunheboto: One day awareness seminar on substance abuse for various Child Care Institutions, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and stakeholders of Zunheboto District, namely the child welfare committee, Juvenile Justice Board, staff of Child Care institutions and Child Welfare Police Officers (CWPOs) was held on November 15 at SKK Hall, Zunheboto.
During the seminar, master trainer on counselling in targeted international for drugs users and HIV and AIDS, counselling UNODC, EUREKA Foundation, Hutoi H Chophy spoke about undertaking addictive, preventative measures and possible services.
District Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) Zunheboto, Dr. Easter Chophy Ngullie spoke on the tobacco cessation and nicotine replacement therapy counselling, while legal cum probation officer, Khetoholi J Yepthomi highlighted on the roles and responsibilities of CWPOs.
Phek: One day awareness seminar on substance abuse was held on November 15 at Pfutsero ADC Conference Hall on November 15 with CCIs Staff, CWC, JJB and DCPU staffs.
During the seminar, resource person, Ketho Angami from ARK Foundation Kohima, presented a comprehensive and in-depth lecture on understanding addiction, nature and type of substance abuse and prevention of substance abuse.
Mon: One day awareness seminar on substance abuse in Mon district was held on November 13 at Hpm Complex building with District Child Protection Unit, Child Helpline, Child Care Institutions and various stakeholders for instilling the knowledge and skills of treating the addict with behavioural therapies.
During the seminar, resource person Field Coordination of Mon De-addiction centre (JACAOA), Longching Konyak presented a comprehensive and in-depth lecture on the topic of understanding addiction, nature and type of substance abuse and prevention of substance abuse.