‘AWARENESS AND REHABILITATION MATTERS AS MUCH AS ENFORCEMENT’
Each year on June 26, the world observes International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, a day that reminds us not only of the devastating impact of drugs, but also of the urgent need for collective action.
Applying estimates of prevalence to population figures, a survey conducted by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) estimated that in India, with an approximate population of around 1.4 Billion, 8.75 million use cannabis, two million use opiates, and 0.6 million use sedatives or hypnotics.
Another report from The Times of India informed that in India, nearly 25 crore people battle addiction, which includes over 4 crore who are fully dependent, and nearly 2 crore injecting drugs. Shockingly, it stated that 13% of these are under the age of 20, while 9 out of 10 people with addiction started using drugs before the age of 18.
Moreover, according to a study conducted in 2022, it showed that between 2017 and 2019, over 2300 deaths in India were due to drug overdoses, hitting hardest among those aged 30 to 45.
In the context of Nagaland, according to a national-level survey report published in 2019, it has been surveyed that there are around 6,24,000 substance users in the state, of which 1,11,000 users are children and 26000 users are female.
Drug crisis is no longer just a statistic or a headline for our state, but a shared reality affecting families, destroying futures, and slowly eroding the very fabric of our communities. It is an organized killer that knows no boundary.
And in the face of this growing threat, the responsibility to act cannot rest solely on the shoulders of law enforcement, but must be shared by all of us.
While police and anti-narcotics units continue their efforts to intercept traffickers and dismantle supply chains, their work is only part of the solution. The true fight against drug abuse begins much earlier, at home, in schools, and within the spiritual and moral institutions that guide our society.
Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges are more than just places of academic instruction; they are the foundation on which young lives are shaped, and in the battle against drugs, they represent the first and most critical line of defence.
When students fall into substance abuse, it is often not out of rebellion but out of emotional pain, peer pressure, or a deep sense of emptiness. Educational institutions must rise to this challenge by going beyond the curriculum.
Anti-drug awareness programmes, counselling services, and inclusion of mental health education, etc., can help build resilience and self-worth among young people.
Teachers, too, play an essential role. Often, they are among the first to notice changes in behaviour or emotional distress in students. With the right training and support, they can act as mentors and protectors, guiding students toward positive choices and safe spaces.
The Church: In a Church-centric state like ours, where faith is deeply rooted in our daily life, Churches have both influence and responsibility to act. Drug addiction is not just a physical or mental issue. It is a spiritual one as well. It speaks to the human need for belonging, for purpose, and for healing. The Church must be bold in its message and compassionate in its mission.
By addressing drug abuse from the pulpit, providing mentorship through youth fellowships and walking with recovering addicts without judgment, the Church can transform lives.
Its role should not be limited to preaching the Gospel, but extended to fostering love, hope, and accountability in the community.
Citizens must take ownership: In Nagaland, Police and other government agencies have waged a “War against Drugs”. A war which all citizens should participate in. One of the greatest challenges in addressing drug abuse is the silence that surrounds it. Families are afraid of shame, neighbours look the other way, and society tends to isolate those who are already suffering. We should remember the fact that drugs do not discriminate. They can enter any home, touch any life, and claim any future.
Thereby, every citizen has a role to play. Whether it is reporting illegal activity, offering support to someone in recovery, or simply having honest conversations with anyone whom we feel is abused by drugs.
We must replace our silence with dialogue, judgment with understanding, and apathy with action. The fight against drugs cannot be won in isolation. It requires a societal approach. According to recent studies, in India, only 1 out of 4 opioid users get treatment. This gap means people suffer in silence, and sometimes die alone.
Let us remember that addiction is not a crime, but a health crisis. Because the truth is, the war against drugs is not just about stopping illicit trafficking.
Therefore, I believe Awareness and Rehabilitation matters as much as Enforcement.
Moatoshi Longkumer
Advisor for Labour & Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Excise.