The Role of Drug De-addiction Centres in Manipur
- Part 1 -

Dr Jayenta Kumar *

BACKGROUND:

THE STATE of Manipur, which is situated at the north-eastern region of India, is a paradise of rich arts and culture. The land is equally famous for its scenic beauty and bounty floras and faunas. The total population of this small land -locked hilly state is merely 24 lakhs (approx.) 2001 census, contributing to about only 0.2% to the total population of the whole country. It has an area of 22327 sq km.

The state has Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram to the west, north and south respectively. While to the east, it shares 358 km long International boundary with Myanmar.

Hence, the state serves as a gateway to the south-east Asia and a transit route for drug smuggling to the rest of the world from the notorious "Golden Triangle" (consisting of northern Thailand. Northern and Eastern Myanmar and Western Laos). Hence, the flow of narcotic substance to the state of Manipur is indeed not surprising.

The drug problem in the state began in the late seventies and early eighties after this gateway was recognized as an alternative major route by drug smugglers that are produced in the notorious "Golden Triangle".

Heroin was the drug of choice in the early eighties but to-day many pharmaceutical drugs like SP, Amphetamine, Cough Syrups, Nitrazepam, Alprazolam etc. are finding its way and contributing at least 20% of the drug of choice. Drug users in this state is between the age group of 15 to 35 years and 98% are boys while female constitute only 2%. Most of them are educated and unemployed.

The government, NGOs and civil societies are responding in various ways to combat this ill effects of drug abuse in the state. Several NGOs with the support from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Manipur is running various Drug De-Addiction cum Rehabilitation Centre in the state. Altogether there are 21 drug treatment centres in the state supported by the Ministry of Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

They are :

1. Kripa Foundation, Mantripukhri (Imphal-East District).
2. Shine De-Addiction cum Rehabilitation Centre, Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai (Imphal West District).
3. New Life Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Sangaiporou (Imphal West District )
4. CSD Rehabilitation Centre, Langol Lai Manai (Imphal West District)
5. New Hope Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Oinam Bazar (Bishnupur District)
6. LRRC Drug Rehabilitation Centre (Churachandpur District)
7. New Life Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Torbung Bangla (Churachandpur District)
8. Healing point Kakching (Thoubal District)
9. RDS Drug Treatment Centre (Thoubal District)
10. New Incarnation Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Kalinagar (Jiribam District)
11. Shanti Ghar Drug Rehabilitation Centre Karong (Senapati District)
12. Divine Light Rehabilitation Centre Karong ( Senapati District)
13. Divine Light Rehabilitation for Chemical Dependence Canchipur (Imphal-West District )
14. Sneha Bhavan (Female De-Addiction) Centre Sangaiporou (Imphal -West District)
15. Awakening Home Tera Sapam Leirak (Imphal-West District)
16. Mangaal Drug Rehabilitation ( Female De-Addiction) Centre Torbung Bangla (Churachandpur District)
17. Samaria Drug Rehabilitation centre Lailam Veng (Churachandpur District)
18. Radiance Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Pallal (Chandel District)
19. New Light Drug Rehabilitation Centre, Karam Thadoi, Singda (Senapati District )
20. Health Care Drug Rehabilitation Centre MI Road Thoubal Pakhangthong (Thoubal District)
21. Sabaltongba (Thoubal District)
22. Born Again Rehabilitation Centre Ukhrul ( Ukhrul District).

• Orientation of centre's activities: Explaining the activities of the centre to the clients and families so that they know the facilities and limitation of the services available in the centre.
• The right of the clients are well displayed in the centre.
• Intake interview: About is drug history/health and social behaviours. This is a lengthy process and may not be completed in one session
• Medical Investigations are done to rule out any medical complications before drug treatment. If found other medical complication he is advised to undergo those treatment first.
  Investigation normally advised are :
  Testing for Hepatitis B, C and HIV,
  Chest X-ray for Injecting Drug Users (IDUs)
  Liver Function test,
  Blood Sugar Test,
  Psychiatric investigations for Alcoholics.