Officials and participants during the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2024, jointly organised by Social Welfare Department and Prodigals’ Home at the IRCA on June 7.
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2024
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 7
While intervention programmes are important, prevention together with empathy is just as essential in approaching drug abuse. T Meren Jamir, a Resident Counselor at the Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA), run by Prodigals' Home, Dimapur, made the remark at an event commemorating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 2024, which was jointly organised by the Social Welfare Department and Prodigals’ Home at the IRCA on June 7. ‘The evidence is clear, invest in prevention’ is the theme for the year.
The commemoration, which actually falls on June 26, was rescheduled to June 7 as the June 26 date clashes with the poll date for the upcoming Urban Local Bodies elections in Nagaland. “What we require is empathy. Try walking in my shoes. Like the theme says, it's everywhere but we don't know how to approach or intervene,” said Jamir, a rehabilitated user turned counsellor.
According to him, the fight against drug demands restrategising intervention programmes with strong emphasis on prevention, addressing the causes and understanding the mind and sentiment of users instead of relegating them to the margins of the society. He said that it requires the participation of all stakeholders, which includes the community, government and the church. All stakeholders should converge to making an environment that does not provide leeway to the youth/children to consider indulging in drugs by providing healthy alternatives to engage in, he said.
He said that the church can introduce awareness about drug abuse in Sunday school, while he posed the prospect of every church and locality/community investing in measures, for instance, a playground, that will enable the youths spend their leisure time. He added that the government can lay down guidelines mandating playgrounds or parks in every locality. He asserted that practical measures alongwith empathy can go a long way.
Y Shikato Jimo, Senior Welfare Inspector, District Welfare Office, Dimapur delivered the keynote address. He traced the history of the international effort against illicit drug beginning with the early 1900s. Doing away with stigma and discrimination should form the basis of awareness and prevention programmes, he said.
Lutovi Phucho, Drugs Control Officer, Dimapur (NCORD) laid emphasis on prevention, which he added can happen with greater awareness and education. “Education is important which can happen at home, with friends and relatives,” he said.
According to him, punishment is not the solution to stop the scourge of drug abuse. “Punishment is not the solution. The focus should be on helping them recover. Tell them we are with you, ready to help you,” he said.
Anna Hairing Thou, a social activist, called for a proactive community. “Are we going to take responsibility or simply attend the programme and return home, do nothing?” she asked.
