An anti-drug mural painted as part of the nationwide ‘Drug Free India Campaign (Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan)’ in Kohima. (Morung Photo)
Atono Tsükrü Kense
Kohima | July 5
A gradual rise in the number of drug users in the recent years have stirred fears that Nagaland might witness massive substance abuse among the youths and trigger a scenario similar to the nineties.
Along with this, people in the NGOs that work with the drug users have said that the current drug users are ‘hidden and unreached’ due to dramatic change in the pattern of procurement and usage of drugs, as well as the difficulty in reaching them. Dr Joyce Angami, Medical Officer at Kripa Foundation had also noted the high prevalence of drug users stating that, “We definitely have human crises of chemical abuse,” during an event earlier in June.
Despite this, nothing much seems to have been done by the government and its agencies for intervention. It is seen that only few NGOs catalysed by former drug users are actively working towards this issue.
No women-centric services
Even as female drug users were, and are present, there are no women-centric access service centres in the state, as the current programmes and service centres are men-centric.
Towards this, Ketho Angami, President, ARK Foundation put it in perspective stating: “because of the lack of women-centric access service centres and rehabilitation centres, female drug users are deterred from accessing services. Also due to the higher stigma associated with women, they use drugs in hiding and are unable to access basic harm reduction services as well.”
Similarly, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) noted that, “Currently, it is not unusual to see female injecting drug users in the state of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. However, intervention responses are yet to address this aspect adequately and facilities for addiction treatment for women as well as other risk reduction interventions are meagre.”
Abou Mere, Director, Kripa Foundation also echoed the lack of women-centric services wherein there is a rise in substance abuse and alcoholism among women.
“Women have their own specific needs and their problems are also unique unlike men. They face stronger stigma and discrimination,” Mere observed.
Since the state does not have any facility specifically designed for women, “we refer them outside the state,” he said. However, only those who can afford are able to access the services.
“Our state needs to set up an exclusive rehabilitation centre-cum-counselling centre and skill development under one roof for women who are into illicit substance abuse and chronic alcohol use disorder,” Angami pointed out.
Inadequate rehab centres
As only few centres are properly functioning in Kohima and Dimapur, the need for more rehab centres in the state was also emphasised upon.
“The government should at least establish a government owned rehab centre, not only for drug users for alcoholism as well comprising of a comprehensive service package,” said Angami. He further maintained it should be adolescent friendly with innovative intervention programmes in tune with the change of times including all possible services under one roof.
Mention may be made that during the observance of the World Drug Day on June 26, Commissioner & Secretary, Social Welfare, Martha R Ritse informed that the department is pursuing with the Ministry to set up more rehabilitation centres and de-addiction centres to expand need-based intervention strategies in other districts.
Many unaware of immunity under NDPS Act
Section 64A under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act (NDPS) 1985 grants immunity from prosecution to addicts volunteering for treatment from a institution recognised by the government or local authority.
“Any addict, who is charged with an offence punishable under section 27A or with offences involving small quantity of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, who voluntarily seeks to undergo medical treatment for de-addiction from a hospital or an institution maintained or recognised by the government or local authority shall not be liable to prosecution.”
Unfortunately, both Mere and Angami said majority of the law enforcement personnel and even the judiciary are not aware of this particular section of the Act.
“Majority of the law enforcement personnel are not aware of the amendment act and they are booked under Section 27A, and also, the drug users themselves are not aware,” Mere said.
“They only know how to penalise,” said Angami adding that this is doing more harm than good. Substantiating his view, he maintained, “Once a drug user is sent to jail, he gets acquainted with all kinds of criminals, and comes out a seasoned criminal.”
Drug users are not bad persons or criminals, said Angami adding that they need intervention and treatment, and not penalisation.
It is worth noting that decriminalisation of drug use and possession of drugs for personal consumption has been recommended by the Global Commission on Drug Policy, the Global Commission on HIV and the Law, Médecins du Monde, UNAIDS, UNODC and the World Health Organisation, among others.
Govt inaction & existing gaps
Even in the face of high drug uses, the Nagaland State Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Policy which received the Cabinet’s approval on June 26, 2016 remain only on paper till today.
Mere maintained that the existing policy needs to be immediately amended comprehensively, to cover all the aspects of prevention, treatment, supply, control etc. Pointing out that it’s a very broad subject covering several aspects, Mere said departments like Education, Youth Resources, Labour, Social Welfare and Health should also have their own guidelines and policies towards primary prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration etc.
Angami iterated for implementation of the policy at the earliest with budgetary allocation to address drug and alcohol problems in the state with holistic approach and appropriate strategies.
Another issue they pointed out was the lack of statistics and data to actually bring out a status report of substance abuse in the state.
On this matter, the UNODC had also noted that, “There is a need to establish effective drug monitoring and reporting systems for all NE states. No network of such exists as yet.”
This is the last of a two part series.
