Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Kohima Science College, Jotsoma organized an awareness program on substance use disorder on February 15.
The event aimed to educate students on substance abuse prevention, peer pressure, and mental health. The session was led by associate professor, Department of Physics Dr. Meripeni Ezung.
Delivering the opening remarks, deputy director Social Welfare, K. Wango Langsym, said that the program was not meant to target addicts but to spread awareness.
“We are not calling you here because you are addicted but to share awareness,” he said.
The first session on introduction to Substance Abuse and importance of Primary Prevention was conducted by ARK Foundation, Nagaland president, Ketho Angami, He discussed gateway drugs and how substance abuse often starts from small things in life.
He pointed out misconceptions, “Many of us think alcohol is not a drug, but it is one of the oldest and most widely misused substances.” He also highlighted the role of peer pressure in leading young people to substance use and shared his personal strategies to stay away from substance abuse and maintain sobriety.
A session on mental health and substance use disorder was delivered by Medical Officer, OST & Detox Centre, NHAK. Dr.Sungtimen Jamir. He explained how emotional distress often drives youth towards substance abuse. He emphasized that mental health was crucial as physical health, and said “just because we are physically healthy does not mean we are truly healthy if our mind is suffering”.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session led by Ketho Angami, followed by concluding remarks from Zahebietuo Kire, Welfare Inspector, Social Welfare Department. The program was attended by students of 6th semesters, IQAC members and KSCSU officials.