Dimapur, June 25 (MExN): The Kripa Foundation has called upon the Government of Nagaland and Social Welfare Department to revisit the Nagaland Substance Abuse and Treatment Policy 2016 for amendment.
On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which falls on June 26, a press release from the foundation called for amendments to the policy to “give a progressive realisation policy, to ensure the availability and accessibility of substance abuse prevention and treatment services that are acceptable, delivered in a scientifically sound and medically appropriate manner, and of good quality (that is, with a strong scientific evidence base and independent oversight).”
“This means that such services should also be adequately funded; compliant with fundamental rights and respectful of human dignity,” it said.
It noted that the recent scientific research study report; “The Magnitude of Substance use in India 2019”, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, and the “National Family Health Survey (NFHI-5) 2019-21”, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare” Government of India, shows Nagaland surpasses National average in substance (Alcohol, cannabis, heroin/brown sugar/sunflower, opium and pharmaceutical drugs) abuse and substance use disorder.
The Mental Health Care Act (2017) has included alcohol and drug use disorders under its ambit, to increase the adherence to the human rights, to ensure non-discrimination, the respect to the right to autonomy and confidentiality, to increase the availability and access to the minimum standard of care and rehabilitation for people with substance use disorders. Therefore, the Kripa Foundation appealed to the department of Health & Family Welfare to set detoxification in all the district hospitals in Nagaland. The Nagaland Government, it said, should uphold its constitutional responsibility of public health management and provide quality health care services, including through the allocation of maximum available resource’ to progressively realise this goal. Strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance disorders is a critical target in attaining Sustainable Development Goal 3, it remarked.
The Kripa Foundation meanwhile said that Women who Use Drugs (WUDs) faced with stigma, discrimination, social isolation and economic issues (homeless-helpless) that lead them to practice risky sexual practices (transactional sex).
They do not find any support from the society, religious or political dispensation and there is no treatment cum rehabilitation centre for women substance users in Nagaland.
For these reasons, they are pushed into a high degree of vulnerability to HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STI), viral hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis, Sexual and Reproductive health and mental health issues. Against this backdrop and in full compliance with the human rights standards and norms, the foundation advocated for a careful re-balancing of policies and for consideration and set up a Drug Treatment cum Rehabilitation Centre in Nagaland for Woman Substance Users, who desire to live a clean and sober life.
Substance use and abuse is not just an individual problem but a socio-economic, socio-political and a human rights issue, it said. The foundation added that holistic approach and appropriate strategies need to be developed and implemented so that prevention, treatment and social reintegration are ensured, with a robust system to coordinate for collective effort of both the Government and Civil Society to address demand and supply reduction while mitigating individual and societal risks.
“If the awareness on substance use and abuse remains low and treatment facilities are limited, substance abuse and its related harm will increase,” it added. The foundation called upon the state government to play a bigger role in substance abuse prevention and treatment; it should take legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial, promotional & other measures for realization of the right to health.
It said that Kripa Foundation believes that dignity, respect, and access to health are non-negotiable basic fundamental rights, as enshrined under the Constitution of India. “A comprehensive, integrated and balanced approach to addressing and countering the substance use and abuse problem, that appropriate emphasis should be placed on individuals, families, communities and society as a whole, with a view to promoting and protecting the health, safety and well-being of all humanity,” it said.
The foundation meanwhile reiterated its commitment and offered themselves as allies to organize and work with the government and its agencies willing to ensure the well-being of people with substance use disorder in the state.
