Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 26
MLA and Advisor for IT & Communication Vikho-o Yhoshü today underscored the need to frame a drug policy for Nagaland state in consultation with experts in the field.
Speaking at a function held at the Jakhama Town Hall in observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, Yhoshü pointed out that although the Prohibition Act is in force in the state, Nagaland still does not have a drug policy. He appealed to the experts in this field to put their heads together and make efforts towards framing such a policy for Nagaland. While it has to be a collective effort, it would need the experts to take the initiative, the MLA said.
Dwelling on the theme of the day, Yhoshu appreciated the efforts made into control and prevention of drugs and alcohol by civil society and churches. While acknowledging their efforts, the MLA urged them to work together by keeping each other informed in matters of banning sale of drugs and alcohol in the villages; educating the people, particularly the youth and children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol; making professional services available for those who in need of help in the form of counseling, rehabilitation, harm reduction programmes.
Briefly sharing his own experiences as a former alcoholic, the MLA appealed to the people not to forget that those who abuse drugs are our own children and friends and ponder over why our youth are getting into drugs, how we can keep them occupied productively, whether we are teaching our children well or leading by example and where we have gone wrong.
Further, he said that the DAN Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, is trying its best to engage the youth productively by promoting music, games and sports; creating job opportunities by providing capacity building trainings besides declaring the year 2010 as the year of entrepreneurs in an effort to encourage the youth to start their own enterprises. He advised the youth to seek self-employment instead of depending on government jobs.
“We must learn to live – to work and eat”, he added. Commenting on the organizing of today’s programme, he said such initiatives should be the joint effort of the departments of Social Welfare, Narcotics and Excise along with the Health & Family Welfare department. Earlier, Commissioner & Secretary for Health & Family Welfare, Menukhol John gave a brief address on the significance of the Day.
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