‘We are heartbroken’

Storehouse functioning as drug de-addiction centre in Tuensang

Moses Hongang Chang
Tuensang | March 3

The abuse of intoxicants in one form or the other has long been a part of life for  mankind. With the introduction of heroin and other new forms of drugs in late 70s and 80s, the problem of drug abuse acquired new and alarming dimensions in Nagaland.

In this scenario, drug rehabilitation centres play an important role in ensuring that users get de-addiction proper treatment. While there is State-run de-addiction facilities some centres are also being established under the private sector.

In Tuensang district of Nagaland, the Tuensang District Users Network (TDUN), formerly known as Tuensang Users Network, has around 300 registered members. Formed in 2006, the TDUN coordinates under the guidance of Integrated Development Society (IDS) and Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), Tuensang and has over 200 members under Oral Substitution Treatment (OST).

However, in some cases such as overdose and other related illness, there is no drug de-addiction or detox centre in the district.

In this alarming state of young people giving in to addiction and with no de-addiction centres to provide assistance in times of need, the TDUN team found out that an NGO that has been running a centre in Tuensang since 2019. However, when they went to the centre, the members were shocked to discover that the centre just an old storeroom and no staff.

The only indication that it was a de-addiction centre was the banner hung outside that read ‘Drug De-Addiction Centre, Tuensang.’ 

The centre is being managed by a Kohima-based NGO called Goodwill Society.

TDUN, General Secretary, Changsang Ongbou told The Morung Express that the organisation came about the de-addiction centre when it took two of its members for treatment.

“According to our resolution no. 8 any kind of programme or function related to the users’ community shall not function without the concern and knowledge of TDUN. As for this centre, we had no clue at all. It was a shocking revelation,” he said. According to the general secretary, the house owner claimed to have no idea about who managed the centre. He also, reportedly, did not charge any rent for the centre. 

“We are heartbroken. Since 2006, after we formed our union, we have been trying so hard to bring our users community to get proper and timely treatment but many times we have lost our friends since there were no such centres in our place,” Ongbou said clearly disappointed by the discovery.

Another TDUN member who had recently undergone treatment at the Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima said, “Since, I had no money but I needed the treatment, I took a loan and went for the treatment. I was happy to learn about the centre after my return but also sad that it just seems like a work of some people trying to fool our people.”

The house owner of the office stated that he was contacted by a friend who was looking for an office building. “I told them my room is just a storeroom and not fit for an office but they said it is just for temporary and will shift it soon. So, I gave them the room without any rent,” he told this newspaper.

The TDUN also approached IDS Director, N James to know more about the centre. However, it was found that the Director also did not know anything about the centre.

Meanwhile, TDUN Executive Chairperson, IN Bhakmei expressed resentment at what he said was an attempt to “fool the users’ community.” He informed that the TDUN would deliberate on the matter and decide on what should be done about the centre.

The TDUN community is represented by members from Tuensang, Shamator, Longkhim-Chare, Noksen and Noklak. They conduct seminars in schools and other social gathering giving awareness on drug abuse and emphasizing on OST treatment for all its members. Having a proper drug de-addiction centre will only lead them towards a possibly a drug free district.