Morung Express News
Kohima | June 26
The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed on June 26 at Hotel Japfü Kohima under the theme ‘Listen First.’ Jointly organised by the Nagaland Police, Social Welfare Department, Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), Kripa Foundation and Nagaland Users Network (NUN), the event was graced by NLA Speaker Er. Vikho-o Yhoshü.
“For us gathered here today and elsewhere, the World Drug Day is a reminder that drugs continue to be an issue that plague societies in different ways and that we all have to be continuously vigilant with regards to its impact and harms they cause to persons, families and friends and to societies at large,” stated NLA Speaker Er. Vikho-o Yhoshü. Yhoshü.
The Speaker introduced himself as a recovering alcoholic and shared his experiences as an alcoholic, mentioning that alcohol is one of the most easily accessible drugs available in Naga society. “I never had intention to become an alcoholic. I started as a social drinker and went on to become a full blown alcoholic,” said Yhoshü who was rehabilitated at Kripa Foundation in 1992.
While drugs and medicines are meant to help sick people, Yhoshü viewed that in drug abuse, people use drugs to alter their brain function in harmful and dangerous ways. “Young people often talk about the “highs” induced by illicit drugs, but these people are not aware of the many “lows” the intake of illicit drugs can pose harm and threats to their lives,” asserted Yhoshü adding that Drug abuse causes physical, psychological, legal or social harm to the user and to those affected by the drug user’s behaviour.
Drug abuse, now an emerging health hazard with most of the drug users in the productive age of 18 -35 years, Yhoshü expressed that the loss in terms of human potentials is immeasurable. Therefore, the Speaker advocated for efforts to be made to improve the knowledge about drugs by providing adequate education, shaping the attitude of the youths and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Sonia Singh, IPS, Inspector General of Police (Headquarter/Range) meanwhile stated that Drug abuse is on the rise in Nagaland. Viewing that Drug abuse has nothing to do with wealth and poverty, Singh pointed out drug abuse affects both the rich and the poor and adversely impact the society.
