Officials and participants during the awareness seminar at CTS Hall in Tuensang town on November 15. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 15
In a concerted effort to address the alarming rise in substance abuse among the youth in Tuensang, Nagaland, a one-day awareness seminar was organised at CTS Hall in Tuensang town on November 15, bringing together child care institutions, DCPU officials, and various stakeholders.
The seminar aimed to equip participants with insights into understanding addiction, the nature and types of substance abuse, and effective prevention and management strategies.
The resource persons were Thapli, counsellor from Integrated Development Society (IDS) Tuensang, and P Ramtsula, counsellor from Good Will Society, Drug De-Addiction Centre, Tuensang.
Thapli’s presentation focused on “Understanding Addiction and Nature and Type of Substance Abuse.” Drawing on his extensive experience of 10 years with Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) and over a decade with IDS, Thapli shed light on the historical context of drug abuse in Nagaland. He emphasised the two broad categories of drugs-legal and non-legal-and highlighted the emergence of drug abuse as an epidemic in the late 1980s. Thapli spoke passionately about the stigmatisation faced by drug users today, contrasting it with the 'fashionable' perception in the 80s.
“In the 80s, drug abuse was seen as a fashion statement—thought of as handsome and wealthy individuals. Today, it is stigmatized,” Thapli stated, emphasising the drastic shift in societal attitudes. He explored the reasons why individuals struggle to quit drug addiction, attributing it to the release of dopamine signalling in the brain, reinforcing the urge to consume more drugs.
Thapli underscored the chronic nature of drug addiction, revealing that individuals as young as 13-14 years old are abusing drugs in the state. Data collected from Nagaland indicated that 31% of users fall within the age range of 17-20. Thapli pointed out that, at the grassroots level, students are increasingly falling prey to substance abuse, contributing to India's unenviable position as the number one country in drug abuse globally.
Ramtsula, in her session on “Prevention and Management of Substance Abuse,” stressed the need for increased support for users, advocating for proactive care, and engagement in activities to identify and address substance abuse at its initial stages.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Lunong Lakiu, ADEO DCPU Tuensang, and the welcome address was delivered by Yangthriba A Sangtam, District Child Protection Officer, Tuensang.
The seminar concluded with a discussion where participants tackled issues such as the scarcity of de-addiction centres, the importance of sensitization at the church and CSO levels, and other crucial aspects of substance abuse prevention and management.
Vakha, Legal cum Probation Officer, Tuensang, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude for the insightful sessions and the collective commitment to addressing the pressing issue of substance abuse in Tuensang. The seminar served as a crucial step towards fostering a community-driven approach to combating substance abuse and ensuring the well-being of the youth in the region.
