Nagaland records highest HIV prevalence in India
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Zunheboto, September 02 2016: Director, Kripa Foundation, Abou Mere speaking on the topic, 'Understanding drug use/abuse' said, "drug in itself is good and necessary for our health" .

"However, Nagaland is passing through a turbulent period in the history of HIV AIDS due to communication gap among parents and children.

He further said HIV prevalence among general population in India is highest in Nagaland with 1.16% followed by Mizoram with 0.97%," Mere said.

He was speaking at the District Level Sensitization workshop on 'HIV AIDS and Harm Reduction with law Enforcement Agency' was held on September 2 at SP Conference Hall, Zunheboto.

While adding that drug abuse/users is affecting the State viz, health, increase in school and college dropouts, loss of working hours and productivity, increase in crime and huge loss in economy, the Director said that addiction affects one's mentality, physical, spiritual and emotional well being.

Resource persons for the seminar were Director, Kripa Foundation, Abou Mere, Program Coordinator, Kripa Foundation-Project Sunrise, Ketho Angami and DPO, DAPCU, Atokali Assumi.

The Kripa Director also spoke on Nagaland Drug Abuse and Prevention Policy 2016, Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, its objectives and provisions and role of Police force in the said Acts.

District Program Officer (DPO), DAPCU, Zunheboto Unit spoke on the 'Current Scenario of HIV/AIDS in Zunheboto District' wherein she said between April 2015- July 2016, 33 persons were tested HIV positive in Zunheboto district out of which six were pregnant mothers.

She further said 31 persons were registered at ARTC.

Atokali also highlighted the NACP facilities under Zunheboto district.

Program Coordinator, Kripa Foundation-Project Sunrise, Ketho Angami spoke on 'Harm Reduction' which relates to Drug related problems with legal harm, psychological harm, financial harm, occupational harm, social and physical harm.

He also spoke on drug abuse management and its strategies viz, Demand Reduction Strategies, Supply Reduction Strategies and Harm Reduction Strategies.

Ketho also said that Harm Reduction in Nagaland started in mid 1990s with primary focus on prevention and awareness creation.

By1999, Harm Reduction was rolled out in Nagaland as part of NACP and at present 45 Harm Reduction Centres exist across Nagaland.

Superintendent of Police, Krodi Rhetso, SDO(C), Shanavas IAS and Addl SP, Relo Aye also spoke in the workshop.

Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Program Coordinator, Ketho Angami while vote of the thanks was proposed by Program Assistant, Kripa, Meghraj.

The programme was organised by Kripa Foundation, District Administration, Police Department, NSACS and FHI360 and was attended by Police Officers and all ranks and files of DEF Zunheboto.

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