Facilitators from Ark Foundation-Ketho Angami, Sekho Dawhuo, Rokokhrielie Seünuo along with participants attending the seminar o substance abused on October 26 at Hotel URA Conference Hall Kohima.
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 26 (MExN): A one day awareness seminar on substance abuse for various child care institutions, DCPU's, & stakeholders of Kohima District was held on October 26 held at Hotel URA Conference Hall, Kohima. The programme was organised by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Nagaland.
Addressing the programme, Ketho Angami, from ARK Foundation, who was the resource person expressed concern that children as young as 12/13 years and college going students in uniform are into drugs.
Dwelling on the nature of addiction, he pointed out that addiction is not just use of one particular drug but are varied.
Maintaining that addiction is going to remain in the society, he pointed out that eradication will be a hard task as the business nexus is huge with so many infiltrations in the state reaching the remotest part unlike other commodities that are still not accessible.
He stated that drug abuse is growing rampant, although many have not taken injection to a large extent and he added that drug users are not confined to male gender alone but include, women which are on the raise. In this regard, he emphasized on the need to intensify fight against drugs to mitigate the menace.
Ketho also shared experience and struggle for de-addiction while emphasizing on the importance of addressing withdrawal without which there is no shortcut for de-addiction. Later, in another session he addressed on the prevention and management of substance abuse and calls for concerted efforts.
Another facilitator of the seminar, Shanchobeni from ARK Foundation, took up a session on nature and type of substance abuse counseling in Child Care Institutions (CCI) set up.
She highlighted the importance of counseling and the need to debunk the misconception in order to let people seek professional counseling to address to challenges and issues of a person. She maintained that counselors should practice empathy, acceptance, communication, non-judgmental attitude, confidentiality, individuality, exercise emotional control involvement and maintain a professional distance.
Stressing on the importance of preventive counseling and supportive counseling, Shanchobeni also called for collaborative efforts among all sections to raise awareness and encourage people to seek professional services and intervention.
Further, she stressed on the need to network with various agencies and stakeholders to provide help and services to the substance users.
Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Sekho Dawhuo, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Kohima said the seminar is a much needed programme with the rise of crimes and abuses against children in the present society.
He exuded hope that the event would enable the stakeholders working for the children rights and safety address the issues and broaden their horizons to reach out to children who need care and protection.
The programme was led by Vepotolu Ringa, Programme Officer, DCPU Kohima and invocation prayer was said by Medole-ü Zatsu, Counsellor. Vote of thanks was proposed by Rokokhrielie Seünuo, Programme officer, State Child Protection Society (SCPS), Mission Vatsalya. Similar programmes will be held for various districts.
