Kohima, 5 October (MTNews): At the State Level Seminar on Substance Abuse in Nagaland and its Impact on Women, held at the Capital Convention Center in Kohima, Director General of Nagaland Police, Rupin Sharma, IPS, acknowledged the pressing issue of limited capacity within the state’s rehabilitation centers. He called upon the National Women Commission (NCW), Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW), and the Social Welfare Department to address this challenge and enhance the cost-effectiveness of the rehab facilities.
Sharma emphasized the critical need for synchronized efforts and information sharing among various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, NGOs, government agencies, and the State Police, to combat substance abuse effectively in Nagaland. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and data sharing among these groups.
Additionally, Sharma urged civil society organizations and NGOs to report any information related to drug financing, peddling, sales, or consumption to the police for appropriate action. However, he cautioned against taking matters into their own hands, reminding everyone that such actions are illegal and beyond their authorized jurisdiction.
Furthermore, he stressed the significance of conducting awareness campaigns in educational institutions to ensure that young people are well-informed about the personal and societal consequences of substance abuse.
During the seminar, Asholi Chalai, Joint Secretary NCW, shed light on the gravity of the substance abuse problem in Nagaland, particularly its impact on women and society as a whole. Chalai emphasized the need for extensive awareness campaigns in schools and colleges, community empowerment, improved access to treatment and rehabilitation facilities, enhanced mental support, economic empowerment, and early intervention as crucial strategies to combat substance abuse effectively.
The one-day seminar was organized by the Nagaland State Commission for Women (NSCW) with the support of the National Women Commission (NCW).