On this international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking it is fitting that everyone needs to understand the magnitude, the influence and the impact of substance abuse in our society and our role as responsible citizens in the elimination and eradication of this menace which has taken away the promising youth our society to unhealthy and unproductive life style. The growing number of adolescents and young adults initiated into using drugs has increased over the last few years more than ever. It is very alarming if we don’t find ways to curb and contain it as it will take away the young talents into addiction and the future will be a question mark?
As reports indicate that India is also among the countries with a good number of the population addicted to drugs. According to the Global Drug Policy Index 2021, India ranked 18th out of 30 countries with the age group from 16 to 26 as highly affected by drug use. Due to its close proximity to the infamous golden triangle (Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) which produces about 80% 0f the world’s heroin and other illicit drugs, drug menace has become a menace of gigantic proportions. As per the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s report on the ‘Magnitude of Substance Use in India 2019, Nagaland has reported to have 4.7% and 6.5% of the surveyed population were users of cannabis and opioids respectively. According to a data provided in the year 2020, there were 4.6% cannabis users which were higher than the national average of 2.8% and the state also surpassed the national average of 1.1% sedative users with 9.8% and 25.2% of opioid users with 3.1% dependency and 6.5% disorders, as against the national average of 2.1%.
These data provided by researches are indicators of the existence of substance abuse in our state. The theme for this year “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery for All” needs proper introspection and action that can enable all sections of the people to liberate themselves from the clutches of addiction. It is also time for making efforts to curb this menace though many activities that are undertaken from various quarters to bring awareness and other ways to help the people to come out of addiction. A few thoughts for our reflection and action on this matter.
Prevention: Addiction as a disease that needs to be understood in a proper perspective. Education on this has to be strengthened from all walks of life. Every individual needs to avoid the gateway drugs like tobacco and tobacco products in any form. Addictive substances are available in candy form today that needs to be totally banned from the vicinity of the educational institutions. Interventions and awareness on substance use and abuse has to be made mandatory in all educational institutions time to time. Law enforcing agencies has to work hard to curb the influx of these substances.
Treatment: There are many treatment centres available today for the treatment and recovery of people into substance use. Healing takes places through various interventions provided by the centres that help in de-addiction and recovery. Encourage and support people to go for treatment and recovery. State government can monitor and train personnel who are involved in this service as they need training time to time to update their knowledge and skills to handle the issues. Addiction treatment requires patience, tolerance and motivation and without these basic understanding one might find it difficult to undergo treatment that can bring healing.
Recovery: Addiction as a disease is treatable and the journey of recovery is life-long. Life examples have proved that life without substance is possible and it can bring more meaning and joy to life. There are some myths that go around regarding recovery and relapse but it is possible for a person to totally give up substances and live a substance free life with the loved ones. The willingness to accept one’s helplessness and unmanageability is the starting point of recovery. Treatment centres provide facilities to come out of addictive substances. Recovery is not a miracle that can happen overnight it needs time and effort to get recovered. Persons seeking recovery need to give time and needs patience to go through the emotional turbulences that occur during the time of recovery. Recovery is a process.
Challenges: It is my experience that without proper motivation recovery is not possible. A proper and right mindset to be created among the dependents who seek treatment so that it is made comfortable otherwise those who seek treatment by compulsion tend to create negative waves among other inmates who are seeking treatment. Parents and guardians do not accept the fact that their sons / wards needs help and treatment rather they stay in denial and it hampers the recovery of the individuals who seek help in the de-addiction and rehabilitation centres. Availability of the substances poses a big threat to recovery as relapse is also on the increase. Many families are not open to seek treatment as stigma is attached to drug abuse and its related issues. Recovery consists of many aspects and one or two aspects like prayer and fasting alone will not be enough for a holistic recovery so medical treatment is necessary.
Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine and so it is a complex issue that needs multiple aspects and approaches to be get out of it. Treatment centres provide diverse techniques and methods to set a person free from addictive substances. Sometimes it happens that persons seeking treatment do not fully cooperate with the treatment process that causes relapses and increase in abuse.
In order to reduce the burden of drug menace, as the state takes more measures and initiatives such as spreading awareness about the dangers and harmful effects of drug abuse especially among the youths, implementing drug prevention programs in schools and institutions of higher learning more and more initiatives need to be taken from all walks of life. Providing medication assisted treatment to those suffering from drug addiction and encouraging treatment to those students who need treatment with proper counselling can make changes in the mindset of those into addiction especially student community. Counseling to be provided to those people who are living n high risk and vulnerable behaviour patterns. Community outreach programs can be initiated in order to reduce such menace in the society but it should not just a show to complete the formalities but it should create and pave the way for curbing the menace from the society. Leaders and other responsible people need to keep vigil on the negative impact it has on the future of the society and the impending danger need genuine attention and action. Creating every individual as a drug free individual and every family free from addiction will be the development that our state needs now. Save lives from the clutches of drugs. There is life beyond drugs; come let us free ourselves and our communities free from substance abuse and addiction.
Rev Fr. Dr. Joe Mariadhas, Director, Shalom Rehabilitation Centre, Chumoukedima, Nagaland
Thursday, June 26, 2025