Dr Asangba Tzudir
Apple was nothing but a fruit until the Apple Company was launched. Likewise the edible sunflower seed was just that until the name ‘sunflower’ got associated with what is considered as “adulterated heroin.” The usage among the youths/teenagers today seems to be so rampant that it has become a serious cause of concern.
The emergence of the ‘sunflower’ takes us back to the mid 80s when alcohol and drugs abuse was a big problem. It was not only a family problem but a social problem leading to creation of different situations. Some few survived and many others have kissed death. And over the years a decline was seen with youngsters shifting their attention to mobile phones and the internet social world. But it has never been a total shift with especially many youngsters taking to ‘ganja’ or the more recent sunflower which is more of a street name.
In a YouTube video a sunflower abuser shared the experiences of using this very substance. That, the body undergoes tremendous pain where the whole body gets arrested, and more painful when the body craves for it. Not only that, like any form of substance addiction, it also has its share of negative impacts. On the affordability, there are contrasting claims where some say that its very costly and there are others that say this ‘orangy’ colored crystalline powder is cheap and affordable.
Further research is much needed to get more details on the nature and impact beginning with its origin which seems to point towards Burma. However, a preliminary observation on the trend seems to be alarming considering the rough estimation of its reach among the youths and the lasting effect the drug can have on the mind and body. More so, there seems to be still no restrictions imposed on ‘sunflower.’
On the impact, the short experience compared to being ‘heavenly’ comes with the long lasting damages which more often is realized belatedly. It is not just about the bodily pain or the craving for more but the mental effects, the disturbances and the imbalances.
Being a social issue, as recent incidences have shown, once the general public take ‘law’ in their own hands, it may not serve as the best form of deterrence because it may instead of putting an end to the usage the user may rather end up adopting some undesirable behaviors. This issue which seems to have gathered momentum during the Corona Virus lockdown period requires parents to sensitively approach and deal with this issue wisely, so also for schools and colleges authorities to be on the vigil.
If this usage is just left unchecked or imposed restrictions, it is going to become a very big social menace. As Nagaland continues to debate the contentious NLTP Act, this ‘sunflower’ has come with its own ‘pleasurable pain’ with a large outreach among a vulnerable population, and which if left unchecked may see another re-awakening of the 1980’s which Nagaland had to undergo and which still is an ongoing struggle.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
