W.Chenithung Humtsoe
Chairman, N-NAGA DAO
Hon’ able Chief Guest, distinquish dignitaries, brothers and sisters. At the outset, I on my own behalf and my esteem colleagues take this privilege in heartily welcoming you to the inaugural function of our 3rd general conference here at Wokha this afternoon. We are indeed humbled and encouraged by the presence of each one of you this afternoon. Your presence here speaks volume of your keen concern and updated awareness on Drugs and HIV/AIDS complexity and programs prevailing in the state today. We hope and pray that you will continue to be a part of us in our quest to make a difference to the people infected and affected by the twin pandemic of chemical dependency and HIV/AIDS even in the days to come.
The response and openness shown to us by KBES not only allowing us to host this conference in the mission centre but also enable us to use this sacred place proved beyond doubt the dept of their commitment towards this noble cause. We must congratulate the Executive Secretary and his co workers to have undertaken this initiative at this critical juncture. Let it be a trend setter amongst the faith based organizations in the days to come.
It may be recalled that the first effort of having a network of Drugs and AIDS NGOs in Nagaland State was done in the year 2000 at Bethesda Recovery Home by few like minded functionaries of Kohima and Dimapur based NGOs like Dr.Joyce Angami (the then NGO Advisor, NSACS) of the Kripa Foundation, Mr.Dili Solomon of Prodigals’ Home, Ms. Sentikumla of New Life Ministry, Ms. Clara Sumi of Akimbo Society,
Fr.Joe Ngamkachung of NEDHIV Training Centre and myself of Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre with clear objectives of sharing our experiences on the best practices in the concern field and also to stimulate processes of learning among the NGOs committed for the chemically dependents and HIV/AIDS. Finally, during one of our network meetings held and hosted by the Care Counseling Center, Mokokchung in April 2003 unanimously decided to name ourselves as N NAGA DAO. It was officially lunched at Kohima in December 2003 with active initiation taken by our Kohima based member NGOs. As true agents for change from a humble beginning of 5 NGOs, we are now glad to say that more than 50 NGOs are partaking in the network with 44 TI projects, 6 treatment and rehabilitation centers and several care projects representing all the districts of Nagaland and are ever growing. We also have members NGOs who are not directly handling Rehabilitation and TI projects but are involved in advocacy and sensitization activities. Our focus is beyond just holding projects funded either internally or externally but it’s our vision and desired that every of our villages, towns and settlement must be aware of the consequences of the twin pandemic of drug addiction and HIV/AIDS and must resort to safeguard our society at all cost.
N NAGA DAO is committed to work under any adverse circumstances to slowdown the fast spreading of rampant Substance abuses and HIV/AIDS in the State to a furthest extend. We are pleased to serve the most neglected and marginalized group of people in our society today. Our target group consists of mostly both educated and uneducated unemployable youth thus making it more complex and challenging. Nagaland accounts for 30-40 thousand drug using population of whom most of them are from the injecting background. It is also a mind boggling experience to know that many of our young girls are increasingly involves in sex trade and finds space in all urban settlements; females from rural background are no acceptation to this menace of either willing or victimized profession. The surface of transgender and Men having sex with Men (MSN) community is also emerging, it may sound weird to many of us but it is happening in our society today. Most of these groups of people are from the most potential and productive age group of 15-35 years. It is painful to see many of our youngsters succumbed to the pressure of conflict situations, continued political instabilities, developmental and economic backwardness, poverty and lack of carrier guidance and finds solace to many different forms of addictions.
Our land lies and being on the proximity of world’s infamous golden triangle and shares a long stretch of inter-state border of our neighbors finds easy passage of heroin flow and other pharmaceuticals and designers drugs to our youngsters. It is unfortunate that the supply and demands evenly square in spite our best effort to diminish demand. Then what ails our society today? Spiritual bankruptcy? Decantant family values? Mimicking alien culture? It is a food for thought for every one of us from all walks of life. N NAGA DAO is determined to be a part of finding a healing process even in a very small way to address these great tasks.
The HIV prevalence rate of 1.5% in the state puts us as one of the six most high risk HIV prevalence state in the country which is a matter of great concern. On the other hand we are happy that the HIV prevalence among the IDUs has been reduced from 39% in 1996 to less than 10% in 2005 where we the service provider NGOs have also played a major part in reducing the figure. As of now, together the N NAGA DAO members cater and engaged between 4-5 thousand youngsters in our workforce both on short and long term basis which enables us to strengthen the community led structural interventions (CLSI) and greater involvement of positive people (GIPA) effort. We also look forward to find sustainable and gainful employments of our target groups aftermath of our intervention and treatment processes which we can not do it alone and needs a concerted support of every individual, the communities and the Government.
The support of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society and the Project –EHA AVAHAN, UNODC and Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment,Govt.of India in guiding and assisting us in a massive way is indeed our greatest strength and motivator, we also acknowledged the presence of other funding agencies like the CRS, World Vision of India, IGSSS, CASA and other local well wishers, for without their support and encouragement, our NGOs might not have come thus far. As we comes to an end as a partner and programme implementers of NACP-II phase by March 2006 we have comes of an age wiser than when we first started implementing the TI Projects, much have been achieved and enough of our workforce have been capacitated in multiple manner yet we still have to go a long way to improve our managerial skills and documentations. In the threshold of the NACP phase III programme our commitment should be more vigor and humane as the entire nation strive to reverse the trend of the HIV pandemic we should rather feel privileged to be a part of this great battle. Though many of us work silently, unsung, unnoticed and often the society’s whipping boy we should not get waver, tired and worn out
N NAGA DAO is also excited and appreciates the formation of the Committee of Concern (COC) and the Nagaland Legislative Forum (NLF) by our decision makers and people’s representatives cutting across all political line in the state. It helps in creating an enabling environment which is a major boost to us as direct service providers. The recent effort of our Chief Minister led initiation of State level Coordination on inter-sectoral approach to handle the HIV/AIDS situation is a source of constant inspiration to us. We hope and pray that all the concern departmental committees will honour this commitment to a maximum benefit for all in our search to reverse HIV/AIDS spread in the state. We hope to see all the convergence effort workable at all levels where we as direct service providers will have a major role to play in making it successful. We would also appeals to our law makers to kindly expedite the State Drugs and AIDS policy which the Draft form is already in the offing. While strongly supports our Government initiatives we have also resolve to partake wholeheartedly to contain and reverse the twin challenges of Drug addiction and HIV/AIDS in the state at all possible manner.
The recent formation of Lawyer’s Network for AIDS in the state is significant and a timely move by our legal experts to make the issue of Drugs and HIV/AIDS more pertinent. We are happy that they pledge support to our effort as well. It will definitely give us a lot of leverage in making the issue of gender, stigma and discrimination more vibrant and acceptable to our society. While appreciating the initiatives to install another CD 4 count machine at Tuensang in addition to the already available facility at Naga Hospital Kohima and also the proposed upscale ARV treatment outlet facility at Dimapur Civil Hospital, we called upon each concern individuals and NGOs to fully explore and avail the opportunities. In due course of time we would also like to see it extended to all need based areas for which we would require the blessings of our Government collaborative effort.
The recent Churches awakening vis-à-vis Drugs and HIV/AIDS is a gesture of a good beginning. Their wholistic involvement will obviously pave ways to the sustainability of Drugs and HIV/AIDS programs in the State. We earnestly request all N NAGADAO members, Drugs & HIV/AIDS activists and workers to kindly co-operate and work hand in hand with them to the fullest extend. While fully endorsing the NBCC youth front initiative of TRUE LOVE WAITS movement we are also equally concern about the fallout if the TRUE LOVE fails. The interactive views and discussion on condom and needle and syringes programmes needs to be strengthened amongst us for the benefit of all. N NAGA DAO is also willing and prepared to participate, debate and deliberate on the highly controversial issue of liquor prohibition prevailing in the state today. We would strongly like to appeal to the NBCC led initiatives and to our Government to include N NAGA DAO as well in further deliberation on this pertinent issue.
We would also like to remind each one of us again that over the last two decades, we have already lost a generation to Drugs and alcohol related problems and it has been observed that at these rates we still appears to be battling on the loosing side. The threat of HIV/AIDS in our society today is real, where we can no longer afford to remain a silent spectators nor complacent over the issues. Friends and fellow co-workers, we have a long drawn battle a head and only with a united effort we shall overcome even the seemingly impossible. Let us joint hands and make it possible. Lastly, but not the least I once again welcomes each one of you this afternoon’s inaugural function of the 3rd general conference here, we appreciate your unconditional concern and support in showing us your unwavering solidarity.
May God bless us all!
Thank You.
