PUN members during the International Drug Users’ Day programme at TFA TI Project Office on November 1.
Dimapur, November 1 (MExN): On the International Drug Users’ Day, President of ARK Foundation KEtho Angami underscored the need for activists, NGOs, governments, and other stake holders to come together and deliberate for better interventions and strategies to address the issues surrounding drug use, and to acknowledge that the work is much more critical than before.
November 1 commemorated as International Drug Users’ Day, when the global community of people who use drugs comes together to celebrate its history and affirm the rights of people who use drugs.
Addressing the gathering at the ARK Foundation office in Kohima, Ketho spoke about the background of drug use in the state, and the history behind the atrocities meted out to the drug users in the past years. “Such acts sparked the movement to realize that punitive laws and measures towards drug addiction are inhuman and that a health-centric approach has to be initiated,” he said in a press release.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic situation, drug users across the globe underwent numerous sufferings due to the total collapse of the health system, economies, political institutions, and crucial harm reduction services. The aftereffects of all these problems still continue to have its toll on the lives of drug users, he underscored. However, Ketho stated that in these trying times, the resiliency of the drug users’ community still continues to shine. “On this day, as we celebrate the day, we must thank the people who had brought about a difference in our lives and realize that the immense strength of our community to uplift our peers and those around us who are still left behind by systematic injustices,” he added.
The release stated that Renbonthung Tungoe also exhorted the gathering urging the members present to make the best use of the available services. Recounting the days when drug users were without any services and had to undergo the disparities within the society, due to lack of access to treatment access, Tungoe noted that the situation had resulted in the loss of precious human lives to substance abuse. He encouraged the participants to make the right decision and to continue availing of services and stay away from drugs.
With the limited services available, the users’ community should also think of those people who do not have access to the services and start working on how to complete their treatment programmes in order to move out and make way for new people to come into the programmes. This, he said would make services available for every drug users in the state.
Peren Users Network
Meanwhile, the Peren Users Network (PUN) in collaboration with Tribal Farmers Association (TFA) Targeted Intervention Project and Cultural Club of Ahthibung observed the International Drug Users’ Day at TFA TI Project Office on November 1.
The programme was chaired by Lalboi, ORW, CCA, and Nehpu Hangsing, Director CCA while Pausuigum Lungalang, Project Manager TFA and Hailungding Gen Secretary Peren Users Network (PUN) spoke on the occasion, according to a press release.
President of Nagaland Users Network (NUN) Pepe and General Secretary NUN Neiba graced the programme with their team and gave valuable inputs and suggestions on the various harm reduction facilities and treatments available for the drug users. President of DDUN Imti highlighted on the importance of networking among drug users and how they can help each other. The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Atuna, Treasurer PUN, the release added.
