Chizokho Vero
Kohima | June 26
The need to develop a drug policy looking at decriminalization and criminalization of marginalized group like drugs users, enshrining human rights into drug policies has been recommended at the consultation workshop marking the observation of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking here today at Hotel Japfu. A long list of recommendations, which was submitted to the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare & Women Development Chotisuh Sazo after a consultation workshop, also stressed on need for integrating harm reduction concepts and approaches into drug policies.
It also called for coordinated response toward demand-supply-harm reduction and also setting up a full-fledged narcotic unit in Noklak, Kiphire and Thonoknyu. Other recommendations include addressing the problem of oral drug users and alcoholism in the state; response to cross border trafficking of drugs and impact on the HIV and drug abuse creating a comprehensive drug dependence treatment and care system; to scale up rehabilitation centers in other district where facilities are not in existence; setting up of female rehabilitation centres in the state; generating a mechanism for social and economic rehabilitation of recovering drug addicts.
It also called for the church’s response to drug rehabilitation centre and detox facility assessment and strengthening the existing facilities in all the district hospitals. The workshop also felt on the need to provide Hep-C testing facilities in all hospitals to address the epidemic of Hep-C in addressing the emerging dual problem of HIV and Hep-C.
It also felt the need to initiate life skills development programme as a preventive effort, recreational facilities be strengthen along with specific existing drug abuse prevention intervention programmes, to address issue of women and children in difficult situation related to drugs and alcohol abuse, share information and awareness about drug and HIV to all colleges, general population and unorganized segment through NGOs, intensify the awareness campaign on drug abuse prevention/reduction efforts and related issues in departments like police training schools, social welfare department to be pro-active towards the issue on drug abuse, narcotic department to have drug detection mechanism, testing kits to intensity supply reduction, treatment facilities in the prison for drug related inmates, achieve a better balance between enforcement, social and health programme, to consider the implementation of humane, balanced and effective drug policies and strategies, facilitating constructive engagement between government and civil societies and further called for multi-media, multi-sectoral campaign.
Sazo assures recommendation look
Responding to the recommendations of the action plan submitted by Dr. P. Ngully at the closing function, parliamentary secretary for social welfare & women development Chotisuh Sazo assured the House that he will take up the matter to the government level.
He termed the recommendations as “a valuable document” which he said will serve as a baseline or a spring board to move forward, adding that plan of action submitted must be followed up and fully implemented.
“I would ask the secretaries, directors of the concerned departments to have a thorough deliberations and discussions on the recommendation submitted,” he said and told that he would asked them to physically visit the different sites, interact with the key population.
He also requested the concerned authorities to draw up their department plans/calendar of activities according to the action plan submitted.
Sazo expressed his happiness to the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS) for bringing together all the key departments on the occasion to tackle and address the issues relating to drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“This is perhaps the first of kind that all the key players are coming together to find a solution across the table,” he said adding that it will be pertinent on this occasion to find how many lives have been ruined by drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
“There is drug abuse among the young people and illicit trafficking within and beyond our borders. There are lots of reasons why people take illegal drugs. Some take them to escape their problems while others are bored, curious or just want to feel good. People may be pressured into taking drugs to fit in with a particular crowd to they may take drugs to rebel or get attention,” he said adding whatever it may be there is raging epidemic of drug abuse and illicit trafficking compounded with HIV/AIDS in the state, “for which we are gathering to find a solution.”
Acknowledging to the main departments who have been struggling to bring the halt to the menace, Sazo lauded the department of social welfare, police, excise, narcotic branch, education, health and family welfare, the NGOs and NSACS for their efforts given to contain the problem.
Stressing on the need to come together and address the issue collectively, he said “The need for collaborative effort by all the key players is urgent to control drug abuse and illicit trafficking and HIV/AIDS in our society.”
Sazo also stated that the department of social welfare have been doing facilitating agency in recommending the NGOs for financial assistance for the rehabilitation of the drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.
“There are NGOs and various government departments working for the prevention and control of drug abuse and its related cases. However, there is a missing link of all these agencies into a coordinated effort,” he said adding “once we decided to work together bridging the gaps, I belief that our goal of curbing the drug abuse and illicit trafficking will be effectively addressed.”
He urged also all the departments who are working in the same programme to strive harder so that the gaps are filled by synergy.
Also stating that he had observed that the youth were restless and frustrated at time because there is no facility to vent out their energy and find healthy pastime and there was more so in the village and remote areas where is absolutely no entertainment, no playground, no sports and games to occupy their time, he felt that the department of youth of youth resources could play a vital role in bringing about healthy activities through music, sports and games etc.
Asserting that the DAN government under the chief ministership of Neiphiu Rio has formulated many programmes for the youths to explore their talents for self employment and also to participate in community development, Sazo believed that such steps will drastically change the youth into positive attitude to bring about changes in the society and thwart themselves from the social evils.
“Our porous border with Myanmar one constituent country on the infamous golden triangle on the eastern front gives easy availability of drugs also make our people vulnerable to the drug abuse and illicit trafficking,” he said and regretted that “there is hardly any military or paramilitary presence or physical barrier along the international boundary.”
He was of the viewed that the excise and police department have to be stricter in enforcing the laws along this borders. Also admitting that enough awareness campaign, seminars and workshops have been conducted, he however said “the need of the hour is the people’s movement to take a coordinated effort to curb these drug menace compounded with HIV/AIDS.” Earlier, the significance of the day was given by Dr. Neiphi Kire, project director NSACS while Dr. Joyce Angami, project manager, Nossal Institute chaired the closing function.
