Nagaland joined the global community in observing the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26 with programmes organised across the state under the theme ‘World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.’ The state-level observance was held at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, with advisor for Social Welfare, Wangpang Konyak, as special guest. Expressing concern over crimes against women and children in Nagaland, he urged investigating agencies to ensure justice without delay, describing such offences as grave violations of human dignity and rights. Speaking on the theme, Wangpang noted that traditional narcotics have evolved into more dangerous synthetic drugs, while technology-driven trafficking networks increasingly target youth through smartphones and digital platforms.
He described drug abuse as not merely an individual problem but a systemic threat to public health, productivity and security. Highlighting Nagaland’s vulnerability due to its proximity to international border routes, he said generations of youth have fallen victim to substance dependence. He pointed out that the Government of India, through the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA), has shifted focus from punitive measures to demand reduction via grassroots counselling, rehabilitation, hotspot mapping and community participation.
He added that district-level NMBA committees in Nagaland continue to conduct awareness campaigns while strengthening enforcement of the NDPS Act, enhancing border surveillance and expanding de addiction centres. Stressing that law enforcement alone cannot overcome the challenge, he appealed to churches, mothers’ associations, youth organisations and educators to play transformative roles in awareness, counselling and rehabilitation. President of NNagaDAO, Ketho Angami, shared his personal journey of overcoming addiction 23 years ago and spoke on current trends and challenges of substance abuse.
Recalling the situation during the 1980s, he said care for addicts has evolved significantly, with government programmes introduced to tackle the issue. He described addiction as a disease requiring compassion, care, outreach services and collective support for recovery rather than judgment. Presenting findings from the ARK Foundation’s Rapid Need Assessment conducted in Kohima in 2022, Ketho said 42% of respondents were aged between 21–25 years, while 31% were in the 17–20 age group.
Nearly half (49%) were unemployed, 25% were students and 14% were employed in the private sector. He highlighted widespread poly drug use, with sunflower (25%), alcohol (22%), marijuana (17%), dextropropoxyphene (13%), yaba (11%), heroin (10%) and codeine phosphate (2%) being the most commonly used substances. According to the assessment, 55% of respondents first used drugs between ages 16–20, while 29% started between 11–15 years.
All participants had a history of injecting drugs, with nearly half injecting daily. Twenty five per cent reported experiencing an overdose, while more than half were unaware of proper overdose management, with many holding misconceptions such as using salt and lemon. Ketho said counselling emerged as the most demanded service, followed by opioid substitution therapy (OST), methadone treatment, needle and syringe programmes, rehabilitation, HIV testing, naloxone, ART services and improved facilities for service users.
Delivering the keynote, Limawabang Jamir, secretary, Department of Social Welfare, said a ‘Viksit Bharat’ cannot be realised without a drug free nation. He observed that Nagaland’s proximity to the Golden Triangle makes it vulnerable to trafficking, while limited access to prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration services, coupled with stigma, hinders recovery. He called for innovative responses including school based prevention, digital awareness in local dialects, tele counselling, online support groups and integration of mental health services.
He urged society to replace stigma with compassion, punishment with rehabilitation and indifference with collective action. Additional secretary Olemjungla Aier presented the Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyaan Award to Mima Village. The event began with an invocation by Rev. Dr. Mar Pongener, General Secretary of NBCC, followed by a special presentation by staff of the Directorate of Social Welfare.
The programme was chaired by Director Tosheli Zhimomi, while Joint Director T. Neingusalie delivered the vote of thanks. The observance concluded with a panel discussion on prevention, family impact and the role of faith based organisations.
Similar programmes were also held in other districts of Nagaland, including Wokha, Kohima, Noklak, Tseminyu, Mon, Pungro and Mokokchung, where officials, experts and recovering addicts shared their experiences and stressed the need for collective efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
