A one-day awareness seminar on substance abuse for various Child Care Institutions (CCI’s), DCPU’s and stakeholders of Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland was held on October 27 at Tourist Lodge, Dimapur. The event was organized under the directorship of the department of Social Welfare.
At the seminar, ARK foundation president, Ketho Angami spoke on the complex intricacies of “Understanding Addiction” and expressed concern on the increase in number of female drug users. He accentuated the need to delve deeper, and avoid casting blame on addicts without understanding the root causes of their dependency. He also underscored the urgency to ramp up efforts against drug-related challenges.
Highlighting the indispensability of addressing withdrawal, he pointed out that recovery was rigorous process.
Shanchobeni, member ARK Foundation, led a session on the essence and types of substance abuse counseling in CCIs. She stressed the pivotal role of professional counseling and elucidated the traits an adept counselor should possess, advocating for both preventive and supportive counseling.
She also emphasized on the collaborative essence of the fight against substance abuse, calling for a unified front involving various agencies and stakeholders.
In a subsequent exclusive with Nagaland Post, Ketho shed light on the societal biases and mentioned how Nagas perceived alcohol abuse as a socially acceptable behavior while drug users face stigmatization and discrimination.
Ketho emphasized that understanding addiction as a disease was pivotal and noted the importance of establishing connections to treatment facilities and suggested that local communities must form a robust support layer instead of solely relying on governmental aids.
Highlighting another alarming concern, Ketho disclosed that in the absence of comprehensive data on substance abuse in Nagaland, both urban and rural demographics show no significant difference in drug influence. He said it was due because even the most remote populations have recorded access to drugs, which according to him an assessment is required to bring to light the griming reality, given the visible growth of the issue.
Shanchobeni also highlighted CCI which presently covered children between the ages of 13-18. Answering further queries, she made reference to the alarming trend of young teens increasingly indulging in drug usage.
The event, chaired by PO (NIC), Dimapur, Arenla C Phom, witnessed attendance from various stakeholders.
It included eight representatives from Dimapur, nine from Chumoukedima, and two from Niuland of CCI.
Also present were representatives of District Child Protection Unit Dimapur, which encompassed Child Helpline, Juvenile Justice Board, and Child Commission. The seminar concluded with vote of thanks from LCPO Dimapur, Moajungla.