Wokha has highest drug users: Patton

Nagaland deputy chief minister, Y Patton said Wokha district has the highest number of drug users in the State and that youths should be aware of the dangers of drug and substance abuse which was destroying the social fabric.
He was speaking as special guest at the 35th general conference of Nyiro Range Students’ Union at government middle school, Nyiro Wokha.
He said Nagaland Police was doing its best in the fight against drug and illegal substances.
He cautioned the students to stay away from such substances and also be aware of people who were into such behaviour.
He urged the gathered students to learn how to avoid misuse of mobile phones as abusing the gadget could lead to destroying of lives by hampering their studies and reality.
He disclosed that he would sponsor gifted students who wants to take coaching for competitive exams including UPSC, NPSC among others.
He urged the students to be hard working and prepare themselves to get into service through exams as now appointments were made only through competitive exams and no other appointment was possible.
He also stressed on the need to protect mother tongue, which, he said, was the identity of the people. Patton urged the gathered students to give importance to mother tongue as it there were danger of it becoming endangered if there was lesser speakers.
He urged the student community to pray for unity and avoid division among the church members.
Speaking at the occasion, IGP (Range), Limasunep Jamir, IPS, said drug abuse was causing a lot of problems in the society especially among the youths who were getting hooked to it for various reasons.
“The war on drugs is an initiative of the police department which is being taken up on a war footing. The department has made its policy clear which is, zero tolerance on drugs users, peddlers and suppliers,” Jamir said.
He said more than 140 people had been arrested in the past few weeks which included several uniformed personnel as well.
He lauded Wokha SP and her team who had been able to detain a lot of drug abusers even in Wokha district.
He solicited the cooperation of the civil societies, elders, church and students community.
He said addiction in any form was criminal in nature the worst part was people supplying it, making money out of it while young users won’t know how they were getting addicted.
He observed that the way forward was rehabilitation and awareness generation.
Earlier the programme was compered by Mhonthung J Ngullie and Hayibeni P Ngullie while invocation was offered by Longsachung Baptist Church pastor, Rev C Ramongo Ezung.
Greetings was conveyed by organising committee convenor, Yenrothung Odyuo.
President’s address was delivered by Chumchanthung Ezung while benediction was pronounced by Yimkha Baptist Church pastor, Rev L Renbomo Ngullie and P Socumlo Ngullie proposed the vote of thanks.