The battle against drug abuse and illicit trafficking can only be won through a unified and sustained effort involving the government, enforcement agencies, civil society, and the public. This was the core message delivered at a press conference marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Kohima, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, at the Kohima Press Club on Thursday.
Addressing the media, Shinde Suresh Kailasrao, IPS, Superintendent of Police (Narcotics), Kohima, said that Nagaland’s 215-km porous international border with Myanmar and its proximity to the Golden Triangle has turned the state into a transit point for drugs moving to other Indian states.
“Checking illicit drug trafficking is a major challenge facing the police and other enforcing agencies as the traffickers keep on changing their drug transit routes.,” he said.
The SP informed that in the past one and a half years, Nagaland Police registered 270 NDPS Act cases and arrested 465 individuals involved in drug trafficking. Most seizures—especially of heroin and ganja—were reported along the Dimapur-Imphal National Highway, he added.
Shinde noted that since the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio declared a ”War Against Drugs” campaign, the state police have intensified coordination with district administrations and line departments.
“Awareness and prevention programs have been conducted in schools and other institutions to address the issue from the grassroots,” he said.
He appealed to the public to report drug-related information to police, assuring that informants’ identities will be kept confidential.
Dr Bernice D, Joint Director (Prevention), Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), highlighted the multi-dimensional impact of drug abuse, urging a comprehensive and compassionate response.
“We are addressing drug abuse through three main pillars — supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction,” she stated.
She emphasized that the issue must be understood through biological, psychological, and socio-economic lenses, and praised the state government’s proactive role across departments.
“HIV prevalence has dropped significantly in Nagaland in the past two decades. We are working to ensure drug users do not contract HIV/AIDS, but the social impact of drug abuse remains a serious concern,” she added.