Nagaland: Lockdown as two-edged sword for drug users

Reyivolu Rhakho
Kohima, June 1 (EMN): The pandemic-induced lockdown in the state and restrictions imposed on transportation of goods have proved effective for many drug abusers to rehabilitate their addiction but there could be a surge in the number of people relapsing once the lockdown is lifted, according to a former drug user.

President of Access to Rights and Knowledge (ARK) Foundation, Ketholelie Angami, said that one of the main concerns of non-governmental organisations running rehabilitation centres for drug abusers is that if the lockdown is lifted, and drug becomes affordable in the market, its users, particularly those who are not availing services at the rehabilitation centres, might start getting access to drugs resulting in overdose.

“In such times, naxolone injection IP will serve as an antidote to overdose,” he said.

He said that the overdose post lockdown is anticipated because of new drug coming into the state called ‘yabba’. He pointed out that one of the withdrawals of the new drug is suicide and that the ‘state is not prepared to handle withdrawal of yabba’. The drug is said to be available only in black markets.

Director of Kripa Foundation Kohima, Abou Mere, informed that around 200 ampoule of naxolone is on its way. “In fact the outreach members are equipped with the injection to cater to those people. Earlier, in the month of April, an overdose management training (virtual) was conducted by the AIIMS hospital to these outreach workers,” he added.

Once the injections reach the state, “we will see how it will be distributed to all corners of the districts,” he added. There are 36 drug users’ related projects but there is shortage as the injection is sent only to district headquarters, he pointed out and added that overdose can happen anywhere as long as drug is available.

State nodal officer for Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST), Dr. Viketoulie Pienyu, observed that one of the good impacts of the lockdown among drug users and alcoholics is the inability to access their substances. The lockdown has affected all the drug users and alcoholics, and has created quite a lot of anxiety and withdrawals, as the alcoholics and drug users are deprived of their substances for four-five days.

“Some of them have come out of their withdrawal and now they are doing without the drug and alcohol, which is a positive side,” he added.

Many people who hesitated to access OST programme earlier have started accessing it. The reason is because they are not able to access heroin and alcohol and other drugs in this lockdown, the doctor said.

If the lockdown persists, it will become a deterrent factor for many drug users because of the unavailability, he said.

“What alcohol prohibition and Narcotic Act (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985) could not achieve in the last 30 years, the lockdown, in three months, have achieved,” Pienyu observed.

OST service at NHAK shifted

With Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) being activated as Covid-19 hospital, the OST service at NHAK has been shifted to Kripa drop-in-centre at Jail colony.

However, it may be mentioned that the Kripa office located at Jail colony is not an OST centre. It is just an OST “referral centre”, where clients are referred to an OST centre based on their choice. There are two OST centres in Kohima—Kripa Foundation, Razhu Point and OST centre at NHAK (now shifted).

According to Mere, OST staff in NHAK has informed them that the hospital will refer its clients to their office. He added that their office is ready with a room but for now, only takeaway (dose) for one week is available, he added.

Presently, there are five rehabilitation centres in Nagaland, two in Kohima and three in Dimapur, supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, besides private centres, which are unregulated, he said.

Meanwhile, the ARK president informed that there are OST centres in Jakahama and Tseminyu sub-divisions as well. However, those centres are not feasible for the clients. Kripa Foundation referred about 141 clients (active) to OST centres, he added.