EMN
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 8
A three-day conference on ‘Illicit Drugs in the North East: Searching for Truth and Solutions’ was held at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati from December 5 to 7, organized by Institute for Narcotics & Analysis, funded by the Central government.The Conference was inaugurated by the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma (Retd), while Ananya Ray, chief commissioner of Customs, Shillong graced teh closing finction.
The conference deliberated on various issue like International and National Drug Control Mechanism, Law Enforcing Agency and Drug Use, Narcotic & Precurors-State wise Analysis, Innovation in Drug Policy reform experiments and experiences from other countries, Drug Use Reasons, prevention, treatment and Rehabilitation, Drug Demand Reduction strategies and treatment facilities and problem of drug related HIV in the North East, Illicit Cultivation of Opium in NE - an assessment, Alternative Development - Concept and evaluation, Illicit Cultivation Opium- Reasons and effects and Relevance of current Drug Control Strategies.
Some of the Prominent Panelist who spoke on various Drug issues are Ranjan Sahoo, Dy Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau; Martin Jelsma, Trans National Institute, Amsterdam; Dr Nuno Capaz, Ministry of Health Portugal; Hkam Awng, Director Myanmar Program of Mae Fah Luang Foundation, Yangoon; Gloria Lai, Senior Policy Officer, International Drug Policy Consortium; Fr. Joe Pereira, Founder Kripa Foundation; LH Sanga, Commissioner of Narcotic & Excise, Mizoram and Prof. Dipesh Bhagabati, HOD, Psychiatry, Guwahati.
Wide range of ideas, experiences, challenges and plans were discussed during the three-day conference.
The Nagaland team was represented by James Humtsoe (NPS), SP (Org Crime) PHQ; Vikuto K Wotsa, Inspector Narcotic Cell, PHQ; G Vashum, Morung Foundation for Just Peace; Abou Mere, director of Kripa Foundation, Kohima; Tiaakum, coordinator of DDRU, Prodigals’ Home and Jenpu Rongmei, founder & president of Youngs’ Club, Dimapur.
From Nagaland Abou Mere, Tiaakum & Jenpu Rongmei also presented topics on drug related issues during the conference.
The report based on suggestions and findings during this conference will be submitted to the Government of India by INSA for further deliberations to implement.
