‘NLTP Act has become a total mockery’

June 25, 2022 96 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | June 25

As the debate continues over the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act 1989, it is being dubbed as a total mockery and failure.

NLTP Act has become a total mockery, said Ketho Angami from Access To Rights and Knowledge (ARK) Foundation, an NGO working on substance abuse, HIV, TB and Viral Hepatitis, and with the youths on SDG 2030.

He maintained that the government should be able to make the tough decision to lift it in totality, and “not to succumb to outside pressure beyond governance.”

An activist for key populations, speaking during the commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 24 at its office, he viewed “put spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health as a priority and not revenue, as prohibition kills more people.”

Angami also opined that in view of the NLTP’s total failure, Churches and CSOs should not interfere in the day to day governing affairs of the state government.

He observed with concern that children as young as 15 years are being introduced to gateway drugs such as tobacco, nicotine, inhalants, soft drugs etc.

To address this issue, he said the State Government must set up a Special Care Home and a Counselling Centre for them, and their families as priority to contain the situation before it grows into something bigger.

Angami also put forth the present statement of demands towards a drug free Nagaland, to the government that, “The Nagaland State Substance Abuse Policy 2016 should be amended and budgeted” keeping in mind that addiction is a disease and that drug users’ rights should be protected.

He also suggested setting up an outreach programme for drug users inside prisons to provide life skill education/training, counselling, care, referrals and treatment to keep them away from substance use, post their release from the institution.

The programme was attended by representatives from Kohima Users Network, District Social Welfare, FPAI Nagaland Branch, DAPCU and some clients and staff of the foundation.

Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/nltp-act-has-become-a-total-mockery