International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking observed in Kohima, Dimapur

Dimapur, June 27 (EMN): Along with the rest of the world, ARK Foundation and the department of Social Welfare observed the Int’l Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Kohima and Dimapur on Friday.

The program was organised with the objective to spread the message of substance abuse prevention and treatment and also in the context of substance abuse, in direct relation to Covid-19, stated an update.

In Kohima, the programme was observed in joint venture with the prison authority, District Jail Kohima, keeping in mind and practicing all the advisories such as social distancing, use of face masks and other precautionary measures, it informed.

Speaking on the ill effects of substance use, the president of ARK Foundation, Ketho Angami, said that people who are in the habit of substance use are more susceptible of getting Covid-19 infection due to an underlined health condition.

He urged the inmates at the jail to stay away from the use of any substance even after they are released from the prison.

Stating that so far there is no effective vaccine for Covid-19 or any standard treatment, he maintained that the best way to stay safe is to practice safety measures such as proper and frequent hand washing, wearing face mask, and maintaining social distancing. He added that the practice of proper hand washing is not only a safety measure to contain the novel coronavirus but also helps protect the person from other infectious diseases caused by bacteria and viruses.

He further expressed appreciation to the Social Welfare department for rendering its support and actively engaging in taking ownership to address the issue of drug abuse in the state.

Superintendent of Police (Jail) C Motsothung Yanthan lauded the organisers for initiating such a programme with the inmates of the jail, which is beneficial for them in terms of knowledge and prevention from substance abuse and Covid-19 as well, it read.

Renbo of ARK Foundation said that the day is a special occasion for the drug users as well as the policy makers, as it creates awareness and also supports and care for people who are dependent on any form of substance.

He mentioned various strategies such as demand reduction, harm reduction and supply reduction, to tackle the social problems.

K Wango Langsym, assistant director of Social Welfare, who is also the nodal officer for drug related programmes in the state, exhorted the prisoners to live a healthy life and utilise their terms in the jail as an opportunity to reform oneself.

“Everyone commits sins which are seen and unseen. Therefore, everyone is equal when one thinks positively and works upon reforming themselves,” he said.

After the programme, the organisers distributed essential items to the prisoners.

In Dimapur, ARK Foundation, Social Welfare department and Bethesda Youth Welfare Centre also observed the day by districting face masks and food items to drug users currently under the OST maintenance treatment for their opioid dependency and who are facing hardships for daily survival.

A brief orientation on the importance of OST maintenance and continued intake of OST was presented by the staff of the centre.

Face masks and food items such as rice, potatoes and onions were distributed to about 40 drug users.

In a separate event, the National Domestic Workers’ Movement (NDWM), Nagaland region in collaboration with Assisi Centre for Integrated Development, commemorated the day at Kacharigaon in Dimapur.

Sr. Pramila Lobo, UFS in her address said that drug abuse and trafficking are the two serious things that need to be discussed and taken care.

‘Today’s young generation have become slaves of drugs because of peer pressure and personal and family issues,’ she maintained.

She said drug addiction causes physical, emotional and health damages, destroys one’s potentials and personal relationship, it read.

According to Lobo, illicit trafficking is trading, selling or dealing with human beings and there are three elements of human trafficking: recruitment, threat and exploitation.

Dimapur being the transit and destination for both the traffickers, she cautioned that one should be more cautious as traffickers are not only from outside or unknown people but can be a known person.

The day’s programme concluded by distributing dry ration to 33 members.