Morung Express News
Kohima | June 25
As per the National survey on extent and pattern of substance use in India, initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Nagaland state has a higher rate of substance abuse of various forms than the national average.
Nagaland has 8.1% alcohol users with 1.7% dependency and 2.9% disorders. It also surpassed the national average of 1.1% sedative users with 9.8% and 25.2% of opioid users with 3.1% dependency and 6.5% disorders, as against the national average of 2.1%.
On the occasion of International Day of Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Abou Mere, Director Kripa Foundation speaking to The Morung Express said “it is a matter of deep concern at the rampant increase in substance use and abuse in the state among the youngsters, the problem is further compounded by the high prevalence rate of HIV and Viral Hepatitis among the injecting drug users in our state.”
Giving a brief highlight on the status of HIV situation of Nagaland, he informed that 16% of the youth (15-24) have comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS while 45% of youth doesn’t know the source of condom and 37% of sexually active youth engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour (NFHS-IV).
The HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2019 among pregnant women HIV estimations 2019, shows that adult HIV prevalence is seven times that of national average, and HIV incidence 16 times that of National average.
While acknowledging the crucial roles played by the NGOs and CBOs to prevent and treat HIV and substance use and abuse for many years, Mere felt that despite their best efforts with scientific evidence based intervention and treatment, peer support and self-help models initiative, “it remains disproportionately inadequate without the support of the state government and faith based organisations (FBOs).”
“Substance use and abuse is not just an individual problem but a socio-economic, socio-political and a human rights issue,” he reiterated. Holistic approach and appropriate strategies need to be developed and implemented so that prevention, treatment and social reintegration are ensured, he maintained.
He also stressed on the need to address demand and supply reduction while mitigating individual and societal risks with a robust system to coordinate collective effort from all stakeholders; State Government, FBOs, Civil Society and NGOs.
“State government and the churches should have budgetary allocations to address substance prevention and treatment with holistic approach, and social re-integration with a robust system to for its citizens and members and enabling them to lead a sober life and become a productive member of our society,” Mere said.
Mentioned may be made that despite, the high rise of substance use and abuse in the state, the Nagaland State Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Policy is yet to see the light of day, though it received the Cabinet’s approval on June 26, 2016.
Meanwhile, as per the data provided by the office of the Inspector General of Police (CID) made available to The Morung Express, a huge numbers of various drugs were seized from January to May 2021. (See table)
