Former abusers share tips to kick drug habits
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 27 2022: Amid the growing trend of drug abuse in the State, some youths who are resilient enough to overcome the menace have been sharing their experiences as well as tips with drug abusers towards overcoming the drug habits and start a new life.

34 year old Haobam Romen (name changed) from Keisamthong Top Leirak is one among those laudable former drug abusers who are now trying to build a new culture/movement of drug free life in the State.

To bring down the perilous impact of drug addiction in the State, he has been giving lectures in schools, colleges, rehabilitation centres and other community platforms to create awareness about the menace of drugs and the ways to step out of it.

Beating all odds, he had not only recovered from drug addiction but also did well in his academic career.

From being a drop-out in class 10 at the time of his active addiction, he had abstained from all forms of drugs and alcohol to later become a Master Degree holder in Social Science.

Sharing his experience of the bygone days when he was using drugs, Romen said that the kind of suffering that he underwent while trying to get a single dose of his abusive substance was very painful in the later stage of his addiction.

"From stealing money to selling school books, I used all sorts of means to procure drugs at the time.

The infliction caused by drug addiction was very painful and catastrophic as it deteriorated every sphere of my life", the recovered drug addict recalled.

He also said that the discrimination level in the family, among colleagues and the society at large was too high that it spoiled every moment at the time.

"I no longer wanted to get trapped in the vicious cycle of drug addiction and don't want others to experience the same as well", Romen said, adding that he now works as a messenger in the Narcotics Anonymous Programme, the twelve stepping programme which aims at spiritual awakening.

He added that his efforts towards bringing an anti-drug movement among the teenagers who are prone to drug abuse and building confidence among suffering addicts to stop using drugs are what he can contribute to the society.

Ajit (name changed), another recovered drug addict and a companion of Romen explained that the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Programme is a drug recovery programme which works on the basis of helping drug addicts to go to the drug recovery path.

Stating that NA members share and care each other to stop using drugs and promote recovery in all spheres of life, he informed that NA meetings are being held regularly at 15 meeting places of Imphal, Thoubal and Nambol where the NA members share their thoughts, experiences and care to lead a drug free and prosperous life.

While appreciating the NA programme for making him and many other people who used drugs at one point of time abstain from all forms of drugs, Ajit who has completed MPhil from a university expressed happiness that he is now able to take coaching classes even though he was addicted to narcotic drugs at one point of time.

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