Parliamentary Secretary R. Khing speaking at a function to observe International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking at Tseminyu on June 26.
Tseminyu Town | June 26 : Joining the rest of the world in observing International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, several government officials and NGOs leaders today made a clarion call to every citizen to come forward and put a collective effort to control the menace of drug abuse in Nagaland. Marking the occasion here at Tseminyu Town Hall, Parliamentary Secretary for Horticulture R. Khing called upon the gathering to take drug abuse with seriousness and propagate the right message at the various levels to control the menace.
He asserted that church is an important forum to propagate the right message to the masses. He also stressed on the need to increase the volume of awareness in schools/colleges. Khing asserted that everyone must take the issue of drug abuse with seriousness and also give more importance to the victims of drug abuse.
Expressing deep concern over the drug abuse scenario in Tseminyu sub division, Khing told the gathering that the numbers come to 1000 plus of which 810 are in two Drop-in Centres and unregistered stands at 300. In this, he requested the concerned department to establish a rehabilitation centre at Tseminyu so as to bring them back to normal life and also enable them to become useful and productive citizen.
Talking on “Interstate and cross- Border drug trafficking” Jatila Jamir, SP Narcotic Cell said Nagaland is primarily used as a conduit route for drug traffickers due to its geographical structures. The bulk of the various Opium based derivatives like Heroin, Brown Sugar, Opium etc. entering Nagaland from Manipur state and Myanmar is thus meant for destinations other than our state particularly towards Assam, Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
Jamir said that it was well known fact that the main entry point of narcotic drugs to Nagaland is from Manipur state through NH-39, which is itself a primarily transit route for narcotic drugs from across the border. A sizeable quantity also enters Nagaland through the districts on the porous border with Myanmar.
It can be seen that the border districts of Nagaland are particularly vulnerable to drug trafficking. However, she said, many of the places along the district bordering Myanmar do not have good road connectivity as such large scale smuggling is not possible as indicated by trend in seizures. The contraband Ganja being grown in the hilly region of Manipur, the products are carried by human being and gathered in bulk in clandestine area of Ukhrul and Senapati district which is then transported by means of vehicle through Nagaland.
She also stated that with the cultivation of Opium reported in certain districts of Arunachal recently, there is also danger of the same being smuggled into Nagaland from that side. Medico drugs like Spasmo Proxyvon, Relipen, Nirtozepam, Diazepam and Cough Syrup etc are being smuggled into Nagaland through Assam. She stated that any activity in the neighboring state is bound to affect Nagaland so these trends are to be carefully monitored. Touching on “Drug abuse scenario in Nagaland and its impact,” Abou Mere, Director, Kripa Foundation said Nagaland is passing through a turbulent period in its history, the transition from a traditional tribal society to a modern technological culture.
It started with children of the rich and now it has escalated to the level where almost, as if, every family had to contribute a child or two to drug addiction. By late 80s, it reached epidemic proportion. The problem was further compounded, as it was confirmed that HIV cases had been detected among the Injecting Drug Users, Mere said adding that Manipur and Nagaland is among the six HIV high prevalent states in India. Stating that HIV is declining in the State, he however said that Hepatitis C is increasing in the state which shows 20% among IDUs (IBBA R 2).
Mere also stated that people abuse drug due to availability & easy accessibility, parents not providing quality time, increase pressure and low capacity to cope with life/stress. He stated that drug abuse affects premature death, side effects, school and college drop-outs, loss of working hours and productivity, increase in crime and affecting economy.
Stating that the timely and correct treatment is required, he stated that proper treatment would enable them to live a productive life, continue studies, heal broken families and also enable them to become entrepreneur, policy maker and responsible citizen. “Help us to be productive again,” he said.
He stated that there are 9 drug treatments-cum rehabilitation centres in the state plus 5 rehabilitation centre supported by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Stating that more rehabilitation centres are required in the state, he requested the state government to look into the matter and do the necessity. “All the districts do not have detoxification & Rehab centres,” Mere said.
He also appealed to government to make available heath care facilities, goods & services including diagnostics, medicines, hospitals and rehabilitation centre and also make available Detox, Rehab and OST.
Talking on the topic “Drug de-addition and rehabilitation programme,” Anthony from Directorate of Social Welfare said the department is implementing various welfare schemes for upliftment of weaker and needy section of the state in which drug abuse is one of them.
He stated that the department had made HIV/AIDS and drug abuse as a compulsory subject in Angawadi centres where the workers are creating awareness in every village and locality of the state. He stated that such approach will go along way in preventing HIV/AIDS and other health hazard substances.
Besides, the department is also extending grant in aid to deserving NGOs to prevent drug abuse and further welcomed more NGOs to come forward, adding that if genuine, the department would help them in fight against drug abuse.
He said that raising war against the menace is not the task of a particular group alone but it is the duty of every citizen to support the warriors who are in the fight.
Ayieno Kechü, DD (IEC), NSACS, Khriebu, president, NNagaDAO and Gwabinlo Seb, Nagaland Users Network also spoke on the occasion. Dr. N.L. Changkija, project director, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society chaired the function. The programme was jointly organized by Rengma Village Council Chairman Forum, Rengma Students Union and Nagaland Users Network and supported by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society.
He asserted that church is an important forum to propagate the right message to the masses. He also stressed on the need to increase the volume of awareness in schools/colleges. Khing asserted that everyone must take the issue of drug abuse with seriousness and also give more importance to the victims of drug abuse.
Expressing deep concern over the drug abuse scenario in Tseminyu sub division, Khing told the gathering that the numbers come to 1000 plus of which 810 are in two Drop-in Centres and unregistered stands at 300. In this, he requested the concerned department to establish a rehabilitation centre at Tseminyu so as to bring them back to normal life and also enable them to become useful and productive citizen.
Talking on “Interstate and cross- Border drug trafficking” Jatila Jamir, SP Narcotic Cell said Nagaland is primarily used as a conduit route for drug traffickers due to its geographical structures. The bulk of the various Opium based derivatives like Heroin, Brown Sugar, Opium etc. entering Nagaland from Manipur state and Myanmar is thus meant for destinations other than our state particularly towards Assam, Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
Jamir said that it was well known fact that the main entry point of narcotic drugs to Nagaland is from Manipur state through NH-39, which is itself a primarily transit route for narcotic drugs from across the border. A sizeable quantity also enters Nagaland through the districts on the porous border with Myanmar.
It can be seen that the border districts of Nagaland are particularly vulnerable to drug trafficking. However, she said, many of the places along the district bordering Myanmar do not have good road connectivity as such large scale smuggling is not possible as indicated by trend in seizures. The contraband Ganja being grown in the hilly region of Manipur, the products are carried by human being and gathered in bulk in clandestine area of Ukhrul and Senapati district which is then transported by means of vehicle through Nagaland.
She also stated that with the cultivation of Opium reported in certain districts of Arunachal recently, there is also danger of the same being smuggled into Nagaland from that side. Medico drugs like Spasmo Proxyvon, Relipen, Nirtozepam, Diazepam and Cough Syrup etc are being smuggled into Nagaland through Assam. She stated that any activity in the neighboring state is bound to affect Nagaland so these trends are to be carefully monitored. Touching on “Drug abuse scenario in Nagaland and its impact,” Abou Mere, Director, Kripa Foundation said Nagaland is passing through a turbulent period in its history, the transition from a traditional tribal society to a modern technological culture.
It started with children of the rich and now it has escalated to the level where almost, as if, every family had to contribute a child or two to drug addiction. By late 80s, it reached epidemic proportion. The problem was further compounded, as it was confirmed that HIV cases had been detected among the Injecting Drug Users, Mere said adding that Manipur and Nagaland is among the six HIV high prevalent states in India. Stating that HIV is declining in the State, he however said that Hepatitis C is increasing in the state which shows 20% among IDUs (IBBA R 2).
Mere also stated that people abuse drug due to availability & easy accessibility, parents not providing quality time, increase pressure and low capacity to cope with life/stress. He stated that drug abuse affects premature death, side effects, school and college drop-outs, loss of working hours and productivity, increase in crime and affecting economy.
Stating that the timely and correct treatment is required, he stated that proper treatment would enable them to live a productive life, continue studies, heal broken families and also enable them to become entrepreneur, policy maker and responsible citizen. “Help us to be productive again,” he said.
He stated that there are 9 drug treatments-cum rehabilitation centres in the state plus 5 rehabilitation centre supported by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Stating that more rehabilitation centres are required in the state, he requested the state government to look into the matter and do the necessity. “All the districts do not have detoxification & Rehab centres,” Mere said.
He also appealed to government to make available heath care facilities, goods & services including diagnostics, medicines, hospitals and rehabilitation centre and also make available Detox, Rehab and OST.
Talking on the topic “Drug de-addition and rehabilitation programme,” Anthony from Directorate of Social Welfare said the department is implementing various welfare schemes for upliftment of weaker and needy section of the state in which drug abuse is one of them.
He stated that the department had made HIV/AIDS and drug abuse as a compulsory subject in Angawadi centres where the workers are creating awareness in every village and locality of the state. He stated that such approach will go along way in preventing HIV/AIDS and other health hazard substances.
Besides, the department is also extending grant in aid to deserving NGOs to prevent drug abuse and further welcomed more NGOs to come forward, adding that if genuine, the department would help them in fight against drug abuse.
He said that raising war against the menace is not the task of a particular group alone but it is the duty of every citizen to support the warriors who are in the fight.
Ayieno Kechü, DD (IEC), NSACS, Khriebu, president, NNagaDAO and Gwabinlo Seb, Nagaland Users Network also spoke on the occasion. Dr. N.L. Changkija, project director, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society chaired the function. The programme was jointly organized by Rengma Village Council Chairman Forum, Rengma Students Union and Nagaland Users Network and supported by Nagaland State AIDS Control Society.
