Kiphire officials push drug awareness at ZPC Auditorium

Kohima: Akehda Amulung Kiphire joined forces with the District Administration on July 23 to fight substance abuse. They packed the ZPC Auditorium in Kiphire for an event titled Say No to Drugs, Yes to Life. It served as a push for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

Col. Rajiv Sharma, Commandant of the 30 Assam Rifles, took the floor to define addiction. He noted that it spans beyond chemicals to include toxic habits and emotional distress. People often reach for vices to escape loneliness, stress, or deep-seated frustration. He warned the crowd to protect their mental health by tightening family bonds and choosing friends with care.

Recovery is not a sprint. The Colonel detailed six specific stages: denial, awareness, planning, action, relapse, and freedom. He told the audience, "Relapse is not the end but an opportunity to begin again with determination." He pushed the idea that discipline beats dependence every time.

Technology also earned a mention as a potential trap. Attendees were told to use devices with purpose rather than letting screens rule their lives. Following his talk, CEO Irothe T. Sangtam led the crowd in an anti-drug pledge. Organizers wrapped up the session with certificate distributions, a formal vote of thanks, and a local plantation drive to mark their mission for a cleaner, responsible society.