State Police has seized assorted psychotropic drugs worth over Rs 117 crore from June 2021 till June 2022 from different parts of the State.
(See table).
SP (Narcotics) P. Bendangchuba Jamir said this while presenting the ‘supply reduction scenario of Nagaland’ during the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking programme held at capital convention centre, Kohima.
Jamir informed the gathering that despite huge seizure made by law enforcement agencies, the consumer demand was still high, as it was easily available due to the porous international border, particularly in Noklak and Mon districts which are hard to be monitored and tracked and also the Assam-Nagaland border. He, therefore, stressed on the need to develop strong mechanism between the law enforcement agencies and stakeholders including the public to check on smuggling.
Speaking as special guest under the theme ‘Addressing drug challenges in health and humanitarian crisis’ commissioner and secretary of Social Welfare, Martha R Ritse admitted that drug abuse had become a major social concern, providing to be a principal obstruction in development at all levels.
She said, with the fast-changing milieu, synthetic drugs and intravenous drugs had led to spike in HIV/AIDS, which was a matter of concern. She pointed out the Nagaland’s geographical location has put the state in a vulnerable position with access to all sorts of illegal drugs trafficked through porous domestic and international borders, resulting loss of lives due to substance abuse.
Acknowledging the role of Narcotics cell (PHQ), NGOs such as Kripa foundation, Nagaland Users Network in the field, Ritse, also encouraged more churches and civil societies to come forward and work collectively in tackling drug related challenges.
She also informed that the department was pursuing with the Ministry to set up more rehabilitation centre and de-addiction centres to expand the need-based intervention strategies in the state.
Under ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan’ campaign, she said the department has covered three districts– Kohima, Dimapur and Mon.
She maintained that primary prevention was very crucial to prevent children and youth from venturing into such harmful habits and called upon all to reaffirm their commitment to make the society a drug free society.
Drug policy ready for approval: Delivering the keynote address, director Social Welfare department, Tosheli Zhimomi informed that the Nagaland Drug Policy draft which was launched in 2016, had been re-amended and awaiting approval to be officially declared.
Tosheli stressed on the need for community involvement to create awareness in order to help fight the battle against substance abuse particularly among the vulnerable groups.
Kripa Foundation medical officer Dr Joyce Angami, who spoke on the need for a collective response, mentioned that though the State had the Nagaland Liquor Prohibition (NLTP) Act in place, the Act failed in its objective and thus many lives had been lost due to premature death.
Mentioning that there was a huge demand for alcohol in the State, she alleged that even small pan shops in every street corner were selling alcohol.
Despite several Covid-related restrictions, Joyce mentioned that there had been no restriction on drug and alcohol inflow into the State. She feared that the State would resemble the scenario of 1990s when drug abuse and HIV/AIDS hogged the limelight.
She urged the Social Welfare Department, church and stakeholders to come together and meet more often to collectively plan out strategies to control drug and alcohol abuse in the State.
Earlier, the program was chaired by Meneseno Ao, invocation prayer by pastor, Phezoucha Baptist Church, Keduoneituo Yhome; special number by CBC Choir, while vote of thanks was pronounced by DPO Kohima, Imkongzenla.
The benediction was pronounced by Khedi Baptist Church pastor Dr Ruokouvilie Sachu and sharing of experiences by Kohima Ao Baptist Church and Central Baptist Church, Kohima.
The programme was jointly organised by Social Welfare department, Narcotic Cell (PHQ), Kripa Foundation, Kohima Ao Baptist Church, Central Baptist Church Kohima and Nagaland Users Network.
