Ukhrul NGOs join hands for drug-free society
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, September 04 2023: In a landmark move, a group of Ukhrul-based NGOs teamed up with relevant government agencies to spread awareness about both the benefits of drug-free lifestyle and the scourge of drug abuse in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts where scores of adolescents and youth are falling prey to drug abuse.

The initiative is the brainchild of WCAD (Weaker Community's Action for Development), which collaborated with fraternal NGOs, namely LWS (SPYM), PASDO, CARE-Ukhrul and SNM as well as government agencies such as DACO, Ukhrul and the police department in a mission to reach out to vulnerable areas of the twin districts.

In the words of Ningtam Zingkhai of WCAD, drug abuse is one of the two most pressing issues confronting the 21st Century after climate change.

"Considering the severity of the issues at hand, we can't afford to wait for the government alone to initiate steps against drug menace because it's already taking deadly toll on our youth," he said.

With this mission, the initiative took shape with its first phase of awareness campaign on drug abuse kick-started on Sunday at Chingai assembly constituency's Peh village, about 35 km north of Ukhrul town.

Hosted by the Peh Youth Organisation (PYO) at the local church, the day-long awareness programme drew hundreds of concerned parents, youth and adolescents from the local village.

DACO's Dr Yuithingla Vashum, Ukhrul additional SP Ringthing Hongchui and social worker Ihotrei Ruivah attended the event as resource persons.

Speaking on the "menace of drug/substance abuse in the society", Hongchui informed false motivation to socialise and have fun, relax and forget problems, lessen inhibition and gain confidence, relieve boredom and stress including self-medication to cope with problem, are some of the reasons for people falling into drug, especially during adolescence.

However, narcotic and psychotropic drugs are addictive and they find it hard to come out of addiction, he noted.

Citing risk factors for addiction, the police officer observed that over 50 per cent of risk is known to be hereditary, while early use of drug increases a person's chance of developing addiction.

"Drug abuse also increases greatly during transition period like entering the upper primary, changing school, academic failure, entering college life, relationship break-up, job loss, divorce, etc.," he stated.

Hongchui continued that addiction doesn't discriminate between the rich and poor, young and old, or educated and ignorant, while adding but just as addiction can happen to anyone, so can recovery.

He also advised young people to keep themselves busy in productive activities like acquiring new skills, reading books, sports, household chores, etc., and take a No to Drugs' pledge.

He further suggested parents not to condone drug use in their children as it could increase chance of addiction.

"Parents need to communicate with their children.

Fellowship and connection are important because isolation can lead to addiction", he said.

In her presentation, Dr Vashum stated drug addiction is a disease or disorder affecting a person's brain and behaviour negatively due to unregulated, prolonged use of drugs, explaining different categories of commonly misused substances include nicotine, alcohol, cannabinoids, opioids, sedatives, inhalants, stimulants and hallucinogens by way of smoking, inhaling, drinking, chewing and injecting.

She informed that adolescence in the age group of 10 19 are prone to abuse, while youth in the 15-24 category are mostly affected by substance abuse.

"Prognosis of recovery from treatment is often difficult for young people," she said.

Highlighting drug abuse scenario in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, Dr Vashum disclosed there are 2800 estimated drug users, out of this, 1500 are registered in NGOs, 550 active OST clients.

A total of 85 over dose (OD) cases have been encountered at Ukhrul District Hospital so far this year and 96 in 2022, she stated.

She further informed that a total of 4663 suspect cases were screened for Hep C and 3933 for Hep B so far this year.

Out of this, 973 returned positive for Hep C and 232 for Hep B.On HIV scenario, Dr Vashum mentioned that a total of 382 death-on-ART cases have been registered from the two districts in the current year, of which 237 were male, 126 female and 19 children.

Currently, 1920 clients are on ART including 1849 from Ukhrul and 71 from Kamjong, she added.

On the other hand, Ruivah stressed on the need for an all-round development of the society with maintenance of spiritual, physical, mental, economic, and political fitness simultaneously.

"To fulfil the true purpose of life, it takes all and sundry to make real efforts to restore all aspects of our lives which have been plagued by lack of jobs, employability skills, laziness, greed, direction, mission of life etc.," he pointed out.

He added: "All these make us turn away from God, leading our lives into despair".

As part of the awareness campaign, a group discussion session was also conducted separately for the parents, youth and adolescents of the village.

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