Longchang residents rally against drug abuse

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 15 (EMN):  In order to curb the growing menace of substance abuse, Longchang Village Students Union (LVSU) and Ngupuh Sheko Khong (LNSK) in Aboi subdivision under Mon district organised a ‘public rally against drug abuse’ on March 14.

According to a press statement from the president of LVSU, E Puyong and LVSU secretary (Library) Loiwang H on Sunday, ‘against the rising tide of drug abuse in the state, denizens of Longchang village in Mon gathered in unison to fight against drugs and its abuses’.

Further, it stated that the gathering, which included members of Longchang Village Council; Nagaland Village Guard, Longchang post; Longchang Village Baptist Church; and Longchang Citizen Forum, with youth from seven morungs and students, declared "a common pledge to fight the menace of various drugs in the village".

Speaking to Eastern Mirror over the phone on Sunday, Loiwang H informed that the rally was held with the aim to put an end to drug abuse and help drug abusers recover, by setting up detox camps.

Highlighting the previous initiatives of Longchang village against drugs, he stated that it had established 'House of Hope' in 2014, a project to fight opium abuse in the village.

Speaking about the project, he asserted that many opium users have been rehabilitated and said, “It found support from all the citizens of the village. Some contributed in cash, some others in kind—including women who carried firewood for them. Through this initiative we have been able to eradicate the problem of consumption and production of opium.”

While commending and acknowledging the benefits of 'House of Hope', the student leader maintained that it 'stopped functioning the following year as addiction came to an end'. He however revealed that with the increasing use of ‘sunflower drug, we wish to reopen it; but due to financial constraints, we are unable to move forward’.

He said: “It is saddening to see many rural youth falling into the ditch of drugs. Not only are their lives on the verge of death but our society as well.”

“It is time we all join hands and prevent the flames of drugs that's spreading like wildfire. Therefore, all must join hands to curb it. Fighting this problem only in Longchang will not bring an end to it. Neighbouring villages must also gear up and strategise, especially villages located in areas bordering other states and countries,” he said.

Loiwang stated, “It is our hope that this initiative taken will result in completely doing away with drugs abuse of any kind and eventually help our brothers out of drug addiction. We appeal all right thinking people to extend possible support to our initiatives so that we can at least affect a little change.”

He also shared that they plan to open a detox camp, which will be supported by the Longchang unit of Konyak Union, and organise an awareness programme on drug addiction and its harmful effects.