Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Nagaland marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse on June 26 with events held across the state. Officials and advocates warned that synthetic drugs and digital trafficking networks now pose a systemic threat to public health and regional security.
Advisor for Social Welfare Wangpang Konyak addressed the state-level gathering in Kohima. He emphasized that law enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis. Konyak urged churches, youth groups, and mothers to lead rehabilitation efforts. He also demanded swifter justice for crimes against women and children, calling such acts a violation of human rights.
Ketho Angami, president of NNagaDAO, shared his own recovery story. He argued that addiction is a medical issue requiring support, not social judgment. Presenting 2022 assessment data from Kohima, he revealed that nearly half of the drug users surveyed were between 21 and 25 years old. The report noted that 25% of users had suffered an overdose, yet many lacked basic survival knowledge.
"Addiction as a disease requiring compassion, care, outreach services and collective support for recovery rather than judgment," Angami stated. The data further highlighted that 49% of those struggling with substance use were unemployed.
State officials reported that Nagaland remains vulnerable to trafficking due to its proximity to international borders. Across districts like Wokha, Mon, and Mokokchung, officials used the day to push for better integration of mental health services and stronger community surveillance. Police in Kohima reported 33 drug-related cases over the last 18 months, reinforcing the call for a shift from strictly punitive measures to grassroots counseling and rehabilitation.
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