Kohima: Officials in Zunheboto are demanding a dedicated rehabilitation facility to combat the district's rising drug crisis. Leaders gathered at Hezukhu Memorial District Hospital on June 26 to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse. The meeting highlighted a desperate need for local treatment options.
District and Sessions Judge Phuleto Yeptho pushed for immediate action. He argued that current efforts must move beyond talk. "What Zunheboto urgently needs is a dedicated de-addiction and rehabilitation centre," he said. The judge warned that substance abuse cripples families and fuels crime across the region.
Deputy Commissioner Dharam Raj confirmed the administration already sent a proposal to the government for a new center. He is currently waiting for approval. Raj noted that families serve as the first line of defense against addiction. He urged parents to provide emotional support to those struggling.
The scale of the problem is massive. Data from local organizations shows 2,278 registered injecting drug users across the district. At least 104 of these individuals are HIV positive. Hokishe Chophy of DISHA said the community must own this fight. Change starts at home.
Lawyer Easter H Yepthomi called for an end to the stigma surrounding addiction. She pointed toward the 24/7 national helpline, 14446, for families seeking immediate help. The event aimed to turn awareness into long-term policy. Officials now wait for the state to fund their plan.
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