Steady rise in drug use among youth: Excise Commissioner

Dimapur, July 3 (MExN): The Excise Narcotics Cell and Mobile Squad conducted a ‘joint destruction programme’ on July 2 during which narcotics and other seized drugs were destroyed.

According to a press release from the Dimapur Deputy Commissioner of Excise (NC), Katoho Sumi, a total of 20 kilograms of ganja, 1935 grams of heroin, 19,397 bottles of Cough Syrup (Codeine based), 2,150 kilograms of poppy straw, and other drugs amounting to 6,92,691 capsules and tablets of Spasmo proxyvon, Alprazolam were destroyed during the programme.

A short programme, chaired by S Chanlei Angh, Dy Commissioner Excise (Hqr & Enf) as the Destruction Board Chairman, was also held. 
At the function, H Atokhe Aye, Commissioner of Excise & Prohibition, commended the two units for the seizures and stated that there has been a steady rise in the usage of drugs especially brown sugar, colloquially known as sunflower, among the younger generation over the recent years. He underscored that the matter needs to be addressed with all urgency before it escalates to alarming proportions.

The enforcement agencies like the Excise Department need to be supported at all levels in the fight against this dreaded menace, he said, while adding that it is the bounden duty of every citizen and social organization to play its role as responsible pillars of the society.

For effective implementation of the drug laws, proper training courses designed for the purpose of achieving greater convictions in the court of law are also being initiated under the Training Regime of the Department, he said, while encouraging the personnel to keep up the good performance in the days ahead.

Brief Reports on the seizures were read out by the Superintendent of Excise, Mobile Squad and the Narcotics Cell. Vote of thanks was offered by the Phyobemo Kikon, Asst Commissioner Excise (ADM), the release stated.