Nagaland Liquor Prohibition Act a ‘total failure’ — Advisor Wangpang Konyak

KOHIMA — Advisor of Department of Social Welfare, Wangpang Konyak, on Tuesday admitted that the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) Act 1989 is a “total failure.”

Wangpang Konyak, Advisor, Department of Social Welfare, admitted that the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition Act (NLTP) Act 1989 has failed to achieve its intended goals.

The minister was speaking at the event marking five years of Nasha Mukti Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), organised by the Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland, in collaboration with Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) Kohima Science College (KSC) (Autonomous) Jotsoma, at KSC auditorium.

Wangpang noted that while many laws and acts have been put in place to tackle the issue, the NLTP Act, adopted in Nagaland, hasn't been effective, highlighting the gap between policy and implementation.

He highlighted the growing concern of substance abuse among college students, affecting their academics and health. While acknowledging that KSC students might not be into hardcore substances, he pointed out that even cigarettes and chewing tobacco are a gateway to bigger problems.

He urged students to avoid tobacco, citing the litter and pollution it causes in Kohima. The minister also emphasised that students struggling with addiction should reconsider their education, as it's a waste of their life and their parents' resources.

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Additionally, , Konyak encouraged the students to be a good influence among their peers and lead the movement against drug abuse.

He assured that the state government, along with other agencies, is working to address the issue and prioritise youth welfare, investing in opportunities to develop human resources and support their growth.

Over 1 lakh kids in Nagaland battling addiction

Imsutoshi Lemtur, Investigating Officer (IO), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), highlighted that a survey indicates around 1,11,000 children (including minors) in Nagaland are substance users, with 26,000 being female.

The IO shared that Nagaland's key drug trafficking routes include NH-02 (Senapati-Kohima-Dimapur), NH-129A (Maram-Peren-Jalukie-Dimapur), and pharmaceutical drugs from mainland Assam to Wokha and Dimapur.

The prevalent drugs in the state are poppy-based derivatives (opium, brown sugar, and heroin), methamphetamine, WY, YABA, ganja, CBCS (codeine), and synthetic drugs. Lemtur also emphasised the severe legal consequences of drug use, smuggling, trafficking, preparation, abetment, and criminal conspiracy.

Limawabang Jamir, Secretary of Social Welfare, Nagaland, highlighted that the Drug Free India Campaign, launched on August 15, 2020, aims to secure the nation's future by tackling substance abuse, a psycho-social-medical challenge threatening society and youth potential.

The campaign adopts a three-pronged strategy: supply reduction, demand reduction, and treatment and rehabilitation. Over the past five years, the department has conducted awareness campaigns across platforms. Jamir encouraged students to support vulnerable individuals and spread the message against substance abuse.

“We must uphold a zero tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and woke tirelessly for demand reduction,” he added.

Nagaland ranks high in injecting drug use

Dr. Ayangla, psychiatrist at NIMSR, highlighted Nagaland's concerning substance abuse statistics, with 6.24 lakh users, 1.11 lakh children affected, 26,000 women users, and 40,000 injecting drug users.

The psychiatrist noted a rise in heroin, synthetic opioids, and prescription drug misuse, with early initiation among youth. Key NMBA achievements in Nagaland include increased awareness, youth engagement, and community interventions.

Dr. Ayangla emphasised that awareness alone isn't enough, addiction is a health issue, and family support plays a vital role. She recommends bolstering addiction treatment, school mental health programs, community support, and policy regulation to tackle substance abuse in Nagaland.

Temjenwabang, KSC principal, highlighted the campaign's focus on educating youth about substance abuse, lamenting the high addiction rates among young people in Nagaland, which surpasses national averages.

He appreciated the programme and urged students to become ambassadors against substance abuse, avoiding experimentation with drugs.