You, I, Them & Drugs

Maisnam Bomcha *

A sketch on World AIDS Day 2011 by Phurailatpam Banti Sharma

"I also know a few brilliant people whose minds are shrouded by the thick haze of alcohol and drugs, whose once healthy bodies eaten away relentlessly at the innards. Addicts are in no way, lesser people; they are just unfortunate and cornered by circumstances into an abyss created by time and place".

Recently a friend had passed away. He was Hepatitis 'C' positive and was not keeping a good health for the past few years. He was, you guessed it right, addicted to drugs and alcohol till a few years before he died. Our social mores dictate us not to talk ill about departed souls. It is indeed a tall order to be impersonal in such situations and we normally say nice things only. Well, to begin with, it is not an obituary and my friend did not want an obituary. He wanted to live.

He was indeed a man, who under my impassioned and impersonal evaluation comes up a good man, better than many I grew up with and know. How many such persons, known and unbeknown to me must have been wasted or sinking steadily due to drugs and alcohol in Manipur.

There is a sense of platitude in broaching the subject of drugs, alcohol and the damage the scourge has done to our society. Perhaps nothing much, new and meaningful, are left to be said and discussed. But the core aspects of the issue need to be reminded. Again and again.

So once again, let us remind ourselves that addiction to any mind altering substances is a disease and like all kinds of ailments, it requires a treatment. Punitive measures by the parents and the state is central to the effort towards arresting the spread of addiction and also restoration of an addict to normalcy.

Important as it may be, such measures however are still a step in containment, leave alone eradication. No society or country has successfully plugged the supply of drugs to users despite the presence of strict legislations. We have NDPS which is no less than any other similar law elsewhere in its severity.

Has the malaise of drugs addiction lessened or any big shot dealing in drugs spent the period laid down in prison even after conviction. 'Why' per se is a big issue and I can't make anyone wiser except needlessly occupy space of this esteemed newspaper. The treatment and rehabilitation? Well fortunately thanks mostly due to a few NGOs and Rehabilitation Centres we cann't complain at least of finding nowhere to go or total lack of public awareness.

But do we care enough, is the government doing all it can to fight this enemy of the society? Or does it consider drugs and alcohol a serious issue at all? Talking about awareness, why cann't we include the issue in the syllabus of the schools. Include it in a serious way, not as a generalised mention as a foot note.

To be free of all kinds of intoxicants and addictions is today almost a foremost virtue in Manipur today. Besides academics, we also teach values to our children. Knowledge on intoxicants only is not enough; knowing about the nature of addiction also is a need of the time in a place like ours.

After all, the first drink or puff is seminal to all the nightmare an addict's life is sooner or later. Is there any harm in telling our children at an appropriate impressionable age that addiction is a demon not be tempted and it inevitably holds you by the scruff each and every time you venture out to ' taste it'.

Why don't we tell our children that even thinking of that 'just once' is more than blasphemy. People after committing blasphemy run to far corners and hide. You cannot run from drugs and alcohol. There is no place to hide. The government can also undertake a wider and stronger campaign on awareness of the problem.

Only a few slogans against alcohol and drugs are visible in public places like hospital, health centres etc. This is not enough; Bill boards, TV, Newspaper ads, Essay/Debate competition on the subject can be arranged and organised by the government. Heaven is not going to fall and life will go on otherwise also. But one more well meaning try will not hurt anyone either.

Another is recognition of the yeoman's service the NGOs and Rehabilitation Centres are doing in Manipur, leaving aside the aberrations. If ignorant of the issue in its totality, it may be difficult to fully realise the service such organisations are giving to the people. Despite the all-pervasive nature of the malaise, it may not affect all us of today.

But let us remember nobody and no family is immune. Tomorrow it may be the turn of anyone's family; usually when we realize about the presence of the problem in a family, it is too late. We need to shed at least the condescending attitude while dealing with people who help the addicts. And also the addicts themselves.

Slighting only adds to the problem and we create a different class amongst us. I also know a few brilliant people whose minds are shrouded by the thick haze of alcohol and drugs, whose once healthy bodies eaten away relentlessly at the innards. Addicts are in no way, lesser people; they are just unfortunate and cornered by circumstances into an abyss created by time and place.

Lest I risk being declared insane and being on the wrong end of an opinion lynching I will not earnestly suggest and discuss the detail modalities of say, officially regulating issue of drugs to those who voluntarily approach, a court for instance; with an undertaking to commit themselves to rehabilitation.

An official dole or subsidy for some time will certainly help an addict with a serious desire to give up in skirting the difficulties of getting the next dose and also looking for some sick and illegal wherewithal. And give him the time to think seriously, a luxury to addicts, except for planning how and when the next dose is to be managed.

A relatively new drugs and alcohol related entrant in sure ways is, God Bless my friend and umpteen others; the menace of hepatitis related deaths. It can be treated and there is a cure. But how many people can afford the exorbitant prices of the medicines available for the disease?

Unlike the case of HIV positive cases, there is little help from the government in terms of government controlled prices or free distribution. Not till long back the medicines were imported at prices a common man can't afford at their own. Why the government is turning a blind eye. After all, ours is a welfare state.

Resource crunch? Let the will be there first, the way can be found. Facing an inevitable death is one thing and painful enough; withering and starring death in the eyes knowing he can get life at a price he cannot afford is another! Alcohol and drugs, how helpless we feel!

Heroine does not only Rock you like a hurricane, do you hear, the Scorpions. It rocks lives, societies. It shakes the foundation of countless families asunder.