HRI sensitises Tangkhul youth against drug menace
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, October 29 2022: With rising cases of drug and substance abuse among youngsters posing a disturbing prospect, Hao Research Institute (HRI), an Ukhrul-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), took the initiative of sensitising Tangkhul youth on the dangers of drug abuse through a public awareness programme conducted in Ukhrul town on Saturday.

The programme titled "Drug menace & the Tangkhul youths" held at Town Hall drew over a hundred of young participants mostly students.

They were not only sensitised against drug and substance abuse but were also treated to musical entertainment to motivate them to become responsible citizens.

Speaking to the participants, HRI president Dr Yaronsho Ngalung informed that the institute came up with the public awareness programme to contribute its mite in addressing the alarming drug abuse scenario in the district.

"There have been reports of growing number of youngsters falling into the habit of drug and substance abuse in the district.

And this programme is aimed at providing some sort of intervention and showing our concern over the dismal scenario," said the former ADC Ukhrul chairman.

He continued that the programme was taken up to complement the ongoing anti-drug campaigns of Churches, civil societies and other stake holders in different parts of the Tangkhul region in line with the state government's War on Drugs mission.

Delivering the keynote address, Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) president David K Shimray exhorted the young participants to remember and seek the life-giver.

"In doing this, you will realise how precious a life is because every life has been assigned with a particular purpose to accomplish," he said.

David further said that no one has the right to end their lives sooner than the duration God has set for everyone.

"By doing this, we are committing sins against God because our life is in his hands.

God even blesses long life to those who obey and believe in Him," he said.

He reminded the young participants that drug abuse is a typical example of going against the will of God, adding that drug addiction is a menace not just for users' families but for the society as a whole.

The TNL chief further reminded the youngsters that they are the future pillars of the society and urged them to love their lives and lead a healthy life so that they would be able to live up to the society's expectations.

David Shimray then urged the young participants to be careful with the choice of friends and companions and cautioned against associating or sticking around with those who are already into drugs.

Former director of Tangkhul Theological Association (TTA) Rev Dr YL Mingthing; senior specialist & District AIDS Control officer, Ukhrul & Kamjong Dr Yuithingla Vashum and director of NPP Counselling Training Centre Arthur R Shimray attended as resource persons of the programme.

In his presentation, Rev Dr Mingthing spoke about the suicidal psychology associated with drug and substance abuse.

He illustrated different real-life situations that compelled some people to fall for drugs and then develop tendency to commit suicide and suggested ways to cope with them.

Speaking on the topic of awareness on substance abuse, Dr Yuithingla described substance abuse as harmful use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol and illegal drugs.

She said that psychoactive substance use causes significant health and social problems for those who use them, as well as others in their families and communities.

Examples of substance abuse included use of alcohol, opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, hallucinogens, and prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Dr Yuithingla also presented data related to substance abuse in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts and added that the two districts have high prevalence rate of AIDS/HIV and Hep-B and Hep-C cases in the face of rising number of drug users, especially among youngsters.

She then called for strengthening the community level intervention involving faith-based organisations like churches, civil society organisations, NGOs and others.

In his presentation, Arthur R Shimray brought out different aspects of prevailing drug relapse among drug users and suggested different skills and ways to prevent the relapse tendency.

Popular Tangkhul singer Yursari K Ngalung enthralled the gathering with her musical performance during the event.

Later, a discussion session was held during which the young participants were allowed to raise queries to clear their doubts pertaining to topics covered by the resource persons.

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