Drug Menace in Manipur: A critical evaluation
- Part 2 -

Khuman Hanglem *

Poppy plantation destroyed at Chandel (Machi Sita Jn, Tonghlang, Hongjang, T/Huimol) in Feb 2015 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

POPPY FARMY & ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION Illegal Poppy Cultivation has increased manifold in the last few years. This has certain negative consequences.

Firstly, massive deforestation because of poppy cultivation reduces cloud condensation thereby disrupting the rainfall pattern. In 2018, IMD report shows that Manipur witnessed 69% rainfall deficit, the highest among NE states.

Secondly, deforestation induces large-scale soil erosion leading to increased rate of desertification. The India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2019 estimates that Manipur lost 499 sq. km of forests among the NE states. There is no denying that poppy-cultivation is one of the major factors.

Manipur belongs to one of the Global biodiversity hotspot. Massive deforestation disturbs the ecological niche of endemic species thereby exposing them to the greatest risk of extinction. As forests are cleared, wild animals often resort to farms and villages inducing Human-Animal Conflict and disturb the whole ecological balance.

Few regions in the world can only boast of such bio-diversity. Houttuyina cordata, "Tokningkhok" was also in news recently for its genetics to treat pneumonic symptoms of SARS viruses. Imagine if we explore the scientific benefits of the region rather than exploiting through poppy cultivation.

DRUG MENACE: TACKLING AT THE NATIONAL & STATE LEVEL

India follows a three-pronged strategy – supply control, demand reduction and harm reduction. In 1985, Parliament enacted the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This act is in accordance with the spirit of various International Conventions. It provides stringent provisions for the control and regulation which includes measures for preventing and combating abuse, Sec31A-Death Penalty and so on.

Strategies such as National Action Plan for Demand Drug Reduction 2018, Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse for Social Defence Services were released. Various De-Addiction Centres in Manipur have also received funding under this scheme. Apart from this, 'National Awards for Outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse', celebration of 'International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking day' will go a long way in engaging all stakeholders on this fight.

On the same parlance, the Government of Manipur has taken up initiatives like:
1. "Nisha Thadoklashi" – War against Drugs – 26th June 2018
2. Manipur State Policy on Psychoactive Substances 2019
3. 100% blood safety in all blood banks, Introduction of AIDS education etc.

The policy aims to make Manipur free from illegal use of all psychoactive substances, control spread, collective initiative of all stakeholders, primary intervention programmes and so on. The role of NGOs/CSOs such as 3.5 Collective, Meira Paibis (the women torch-bearers), Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) etc in fighting the menace cannot be ignored.

GOVERNMENT INTIATIVES: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

At the Central level, several awareness programmes such as National Toll Free Drug De-Addiction 24*7 Helpline Number-1800110031, Online system for Grant-in-aids to NGOs since 2014-15 have yielded positive outcomes.

Manipur too have benefited from such programmes. The declining trend in the rate of HIV positive cases from 1146 (2014-15) to 1013 (2016-17) is worth mentioning. Police raids & awards either through 'gallantry' or money were commendable efforts. Further, the government set up Fast Track Courts to specifically deal with drug offenders. Yet, not all was going to be well.

It is believed that drug kingpins always escaped either from arrest or conviction. Lack of political will, excessive politicization and inefficiency in the implementation of legislations, schemes and policies further increases the vulnerability of the issue. Fighting this pandemic cannot be left on the incumbent government alone. Opposition too hasn't played an effective role in making the executive accountable and responsible.

A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

My live experience with 'drugs' pandemic comes in different phases of my cognitive and personality development. Back in 2011, I happened to witness a neighbor who died in the bathroom with empty syringe around his dead body. That was my first exposure to an incident of drug overdose.

I have heard the story of an incident that happened before I was born in my locality on 24th April, 1987 where a 5-year old boy was murdered by two drug addicts for a small earring worth Rs180. Such horrific stories have terrified our mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Many youths of my locality are engaged in drug-related activities and it has created a social segregation. Mothers' wise phrase of "Leikai mi tinaba yade, Nisha chaba yonba ngaktani' which translates as (Don't make friends with locals as many of them are involved with drugs) is apt to mention here.

TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE

Any suggestions to improve the present scenario should address both short-term and long-term fallouts.

Firstly, there should be adequate Quarantine facilities and the present De-addiction centres should be scaled up with adequate funding and infrastructures. A 24*7 toll free helpline in local languages should be rolled out to address questions about de-addiction and potential treatment.

Secondly, adequate measures to address specific problems of female drug users should be ensured. Reintegration programmes, sensitization and social awareness will go a long way in eradicating this pandemic. Our approach should be 'Preventive' (reform the addicts) rather than 'Punitive'. The state government has already sent a proposal for setting up of Night Shelters for vulnerable women drug-users and sexual workers under the Nirbhaya Fund. However, several national newspapers claimed that Manipur along with several other states haven't spent even a single penny allocated under this fund.

Third, clarity for de-addiction policies, reformative approaches, addressing demand & supply control should be laid out in the public domain. Strengthening Border surveillances, Cooperation and Coordination between the border forces and the state police, inter-state coordination especially between North East States is the need of the hour. North-Eastern Council as a platform should be utilized in addressing this loophole.

Fourth, use of ICT such as video-clipping, geo-tagging pictures while conducting drug raids by the police should be ensured to instill public trust, responsibility and ultimately to establish a mechanism of social audit. The same is being practiced by Delhi Traffic Police using body-wear cameras while issuing challans. Such Innovation should be emulated at the earnest.

Fifth, the role of general public cannot be ignored in fighting this pandemic. Many are aware about the sale of illegal drugs in their localities but there is lack of reporting because of certain social factors. Hence a strict surveillance mechanism similar to 'eyes and ears scheme' of Delhi Police should be emulated. This way any conscious citizen can report to police by ensuring their anonymity.

Sixth, 'placebo-induced treatment' should be explored to shift the mental behavior patterns of drug addicts. Addiction is completely and totally based in 'instant gratification'. Hence use of positive affirmations, auto-suggestion and subliminals to rewire their mental patterns at a subconscious level will go a long way in intensifying the de-addiction process.

Seventh, lack of employment, financial difficulties is also one of the main reasons for youths to get involved in drugs. Vocational training, Skilling, reviving the local economy and instilling a culture of productivity and efficiency for a self-reliant Manipur would address this gap. Futuristic areas to explore includes Sustainable practices like Permaculture, Sericulture practices, Horticulture, Sustainable Tourism, Handloom & Handicrafts, Investments in Human Resource, state sponsors for students in emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence, IoTs, Machine Learning, socio-political analysts etc.

Lastly, use of derogatory words towards recovering addicts and users should be avoided. In 2001, Portugal decriminalized drugs and 14 years after drug use and related crimes dropped significantly. But this paradigm shift was not just because of the policies and legislation but the enormous cultural shift and a change in how the country viewed drugs and addiction.

CONCLUSION:

The issue of drug Pandemic in Manipur is real. Any disagreement would be a violation of Human Rights and our own individual conscience. It was the people who fought against the Burmese army in 1826 and it was the people who ushered in the struggle for liberation from the colonial rule. Let the people step in to fight this drug pandemic. Manipur as of now has 16 districts with 2582 villages, 28.56 lakhs of population.

Out of this, nearly half (14.28 lakhs) are affected directly or indirectly with drugs. Imagine the gravity of the situation and the demographic loss we are having. The loss of pristine land, rich biodiversity and talented youths can never be measured as some form of GDP or grant-in-aids.

It is time for the people to awake, see the grim picture and take the right action for the holistic progress and the collective good for all. Let us remember our childhood poem,

"Amamba ahing houkhare;
Nongpok Chingkhei thoklakle;
Ema gi ebungo nungshiba;
Namit namai tathoklo;
Lairik Laishu Pathoklo;
Ngna eba yenglage"


Concluded....