• Counselling, not from prayer warriors, but from professional counsellors.
• Create an ecosystem of mental health care services in all public squares to address substance use/disorders.
• Having spent time counseling and working closely with our youth, I know that punishing them is not the answer. First, we must create exciting, youth-led hubs for sports and skill-building in every community. These spaces are vital to fighting the deep boredom and frustration that lead to drug use. I have seen that our churches and village leaders must replace the stigma of addiction with genuine compassion. When we lead with kindness, young people feel safe enough to ask for help long before they hit a crisis point. I strongly believe in empowering our youth leaders to run awareness programs, as they connect with their peers far better than we do. Finally, I have learned that recovery is only sustainable when we give them a real future. We must pair their recovery with practical job training and steady employment opportunities. When our youth are busy building their own careers, they find a powerful reason to stay on the right path. They do not need our judgment; they need our active, consistent support. By working together this way, I know we can truly help them change their lives.
• Honestly, I would say that people have gotten used to these campaigns and seminars. So I guess the most effective would be a one on one counseling session, creating a safe environment for the people so that they can also feel safe to speak up and since our society is so judgmental at some point which we all knows. Another one would be maybe initiating a trips, a visit to the places or people where people have had gone through this substance use and how their life had changed dramatically in a way also sharing their testimonies and the after effect of substance abuse and how it has harmed their life etc I guess that would also help some people to open their eyes and look towards the brighter side. Overall I think we should maintain a positive attitude toward this issue and not make them feel like an outcast and instead reach out helping hands to those who really need it.
• Nagaland needs stronger awareness campaigns in schools and villages, confidential counselling services, better rehabilitation facilities, and more employment opportunities. Prevention and recovery should go hand in hand.
• One practical long-term solution is to strengthen physical fitness programmes in our schools. Regular exercise and sports help improve mental health, build discipline, boost self-esteem, and provide a positive outlet for stress—reducing the risk of substance abuse. Along with awareness campaigns, the Government should invest in qualified PE teachers, fitness infrastructure, and community sports programmes. A healthier, more active youth today will lead to a stronger, drug-free Nagaland tomorrow.
• Strict prohibition. Unless we are able to curb the smuggling of such substances inside our State, there's no way to stop the drug menace. Because even the ones who abuse these substance know that it's no good. Yet we do it. However, if our authorities can truly curb the smuggling of these substances and enforce a strict means to stop the substances coming inside the State, maybe then we can see a positive impact. Once these drugs are inside and smuggled then no action or awareness or education can help us. Option 1: Public Health Approach: Substance use among youth should be treated primarily as a public health issue rather than only a law-and-order problem. Prevention must begin in schools through evidence-based education, life-skills training, and mental health awareness. Every district should have accessible counselling and rehabilitation services without stigma. At the same time, law enforcement should focus on disrupting drug trafficking networks while supporting the recovery and reintegration of individuals struggling with addiction. Option 2: Focus on Opportunities: Many young people turn to substances due to unemployment, hopelessness, peer pressure, or untreated mental health challenges. Addressing these root causes is essential. Governments and communities should invest in vocational training, entrepreneurship, sports, arts, and career guidance. Providing meaningful opportunities and safe recreational spaces gives youth a stronger sense of purpose and reduces their vulnerability to substance abuse. Option 3: School and Community Partnership: Schools should move beyond awareness campaigns and provide trained counsellors, confidential support systems, and life-skills education that teaches decision-making, emotional regulation, and resisting peer pressure. Parents and communities should also be equipped to recognize early warning signs and respond constructively. Early intervention is far more effective and less costly than dealing with addiction later. Option 4: Balanced Policy: Nagaland needs a balanced strategy that combines prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and strict enforcement. Strong action must be taken against drug trafficking and illegal distribution networks, while those battling addiction should have access to affordable healthcare and rehabilitation instead of facing social stigma. Recovery should be viewed as a pathway back into society through education, employment, and community support. Option 5: Evidence-Based Recommendation: Policies should be guided by evidence, not assumptions. Regular surveys on youth substance use, stronger coordination between schools and healthcare providers, confidential counselling services, and accessible rehabilitation centres should become priorities. At the same time, investment in sports infrastructure, cultural activities, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship can provide positive alternatives that keep young people engaged and hopeful about their future
• Substance Abuse Disorder (SAD) is becoming a serious health and social problem in Nagaland. Fixing this problem will require an understand why it is happening, followed by a complete, all-around plan to stop it. The cause of increase addiction may be divided into three main areas: Systemic: When young people leave their villages and move to bigger cities (like Dimapur, Kohima, or outside the state) for college and jobs, they often lose their daily family and village support. This loneliness and stress can make them vulnerable to bad habits. Individual: Sometimes, it starts with peer pressure. It can also happen due to a lack of awareness about the dangers of drugs, not knowing how to handle stress, or feeling hopeless and confused about the future. Structural: There is also a lack of proper de-addiction infrastructure. We do not have enough good rehab centers, trained counselors, or a strong support system to help those who are already struggling to recover. Managing substance abuse requires a multi-modal strategy, which means that we must work on all levels at the same time, as per global experience and evidence. Here are some of the key interventions. 1. Building a Caring and Supportive Community: Addiction is a health and brain issue, not a moral failure or a character flaw. Families and communities need to understand this perspective and must support those struggling. When we treat addiction with care instead of shame, young people are more likely to ask for help and recover. 2. Train Our Helpers and Upgrade Rehab Centres: Recovery requires medical and psychological expertise. The government must ensure that staff at de-addiction centers and rehab facilities receive top-quality, modern training. Upgrading these centers with evidence-based methods saves lives. 3. Create Smart School and College Programs: Early education prevents drug use. Schools and colleges need strong awareness programs. Teachers and counselors must also understand modern "youth culture" so they can connect with students and guide them away from harmful trends. 4. Teach Mental Strength in Schools: Youth who know how to handle stress are less likely to use drugs. We must introduce "adolescent resilience" training in schools and colleges. This teaches students how to manage emotions, say "no" to peer pressure, and bounce back from failures. 5. Strict Policing to Stop the Drug Supply: Reducing the supply of drugs directly lowers addiction rates. The government and police must enforce strict narcotics policing. We need strong border checks and community policing to stop smugglers from bringing drugs into our state. 6. Empower Youth at the Grassroots Level: Young people with a sense of purpose and community stay away from drugs. Nagaland has a strong church and community network. We must use these spaces, along with schools, to run youth empowerment programs. Giving young people leadership roles, sports, and hobbies builds a positive identity.
• To identify the foundation of how anyone starts abusing it… a few years back it was more of a fashion or say a trend of chewing tobacco products and slowly the addiction from supari to trying different availability creeps in . Growing up it was actually cool to see the elders chewing pan and roaming around and our natural instinct, as a kid we looked upon them and then suddenly we looked uncool not to chew as we grew up. What I'm trying to say is to take care of that age where anyone is at a crucial stage of growth and doesn't necessarily have the capacity to think about tomorrow but rather living today alone. Times have changed and we are moving at a fast pace compared to those times and the reason that anyone is abusing any kind of substance use might differ. We often neglect depression, stress, pressure, etc., which is also one among many concerns enough laws are being drawn from govt. Community , villages but we keep seeing the trend of how little effect it has provided. But what I truly believe is the change lies upon the ones who are victims of it. A scenario where, if someone who is a patient of COVID tells me not to get close to him i wouldn't dare to. In the same way if a victim of addiction tries himself to give repercussions, given the fact that society doesn't judge along with given platform or opportunity.
