6,24,000 substance users in Nagaland

June 25, 2024 21 Views No Comment

Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 25

Following the state government declaration on “War on Drugs,” the Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland, has taken up various programs as a measure of primary prevention and has reached out to various groups of people with the message on ill effects of substance abuse.

This was informed by Tosheli Zhimomi, Director, Department of Social Welfare during the launching programme of “Online competition on substance abuse prevention” in Kohima today in commemoration of the upcoming International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

“We must all play our role effectively and collectively to curb the menace of substance abuse in our society,” she said adding that it has been the endeavor of the social welfare department to carry out various programs to meet the objective of demand reduction.

“Every nook and corner of Nagaland is affected with the menace of substance abuse where hundreds of young people have fallen victims,” Zhimomi said.

Further, she also called upon all the stakeholders that the ‘War on Drugs’ will not be won if we don’t fight collectively.”

Wango Langsym, Deputy Director, Department of Social Welfare informed that Nagaland is listed a total substance users at 6, 24,000 as per 2021 Survey report of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt of India.

Out of this, 1, 11,000 are children substance users and 26,000 female substance users.

Viewing this trend as serious issue, Langsym said that the department has been carrying out various initiatives, targeting various age groups.

He informed that the department will not be in position to observe International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26 this year as ULB election falls on the same day in Nagaland.

However, basing on this year theme “The evidence is clear: Invest in prevention,” the Deputy Director said that the department is mandated to invest in prevention, particularly primary prevention.

For this, he said the department has launched “Online competition on substance abuse prevention.”

Miss Nagaland 2022 Hikali Achumi asked age group of 13-25 years across Nagaland to join the competition in Creative Writing, Reel Making and Poster Making.

Also speaking at the launching programme, Miss North East 2023 Kenei Ritse was optimistic that such kind of awareness campaign will help many people.

“We can provide not just medical care but also emotional and psychological care to the people around us,” she said.

Miss Nagaland 2023 Neiketuno Sechii said “We, as educated people, should go and educate the people who know very less knowledge about drugs.”