Speech of Shri K. Sankaranarayanan, His Excellency ... - Nagaland

Speech of Shri K. Sankaranarayanan, His Excellency the Governor of Nagaland on
‘The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’ at Kohima on 26 th
June, 2007
Dr. P. Ngully and his colleagues in the Regional Resource and Training Center and the Kripa
Foundation, Representative from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, N-Naga-Dao
and other NGOs, Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, we have gathered here as partners in the launching of a three year international
campaign against drugs. The ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking’
is observed on June 26 every year. It is, therefore, befitting that the campaign is being
launched on this day.
Drugs are not new to humans. In fact, the mankind has been using drugs for medicinal
purposes from time immemorial. Drugs were also consumed for recreation and on religious
occasions. But the harmful effects of addictive drugs such as opium were also realized. The
Chinese emperors prohibited opium in the 18 th century. But due to lack of international
consensus, the illegal trade in opium continued. The spread of opium addiction led to the
international efforts to ban opium in the early 20 th century.
While economic greed continues to drive illicit trade in drugs, the emergence of more
dangerous varieties of drugs has made the situation worse. With the advancement of science,
stronger drugs have been synthesized. Some of them have medicinal uses. Unfortunately,
they are also highly addictive and dangerous.
Today, we have an international consensus against drugs. But the drug trade is very much
alive. India is located between two major illegal opium producing areas - the Golden
Triangle comprising Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, and the Golden Crescent comprising
Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of illicit opiates

while Myanmar is the second largest. India is both a transit route and a destination for such
drugs. About 3 million people in the country are estimated to be the victims of drugs.
Smuggling of drugs from Myanmar poses a threat to the north eastern States, including
Nagaland. Opiates are being smuggled through Nagaland from Moreh and from areas
bordering Myanmar. Prescription drugs are being smuggled from other States for illicit drug
use. There is high incidence of intra-venous drug use in the State leading to spread of
HIV/AIDS. The Central and the State agencies should coordinate effectively and make
renewed efforts to check smuggling of drugs.
If the drug availability is one half of the problem, the willingness to consume drugs is the
other half. I would say that it is the more important factor. Today, we know that social
conditions play a critical role in vulnerability of our youth towards drugs. The traditional
tribal society has seen too much of change within a few decades. Urbanization and
modernity have diluted traditional social controls within the community and the family. This
has made our youngsters more vulnerable to drugs.
The response to this challenge must come from within the community. I am glad to notice
that specialized NGOs have come up in Nagaland to generate awareness and make
interventions against drug use. Linkages with such NGOs, community based institutions and
Government agencies should be strengthened for increasing the effectiveness of the fight
against drugs.
A deeper understanding of the drug use in all its aspects is needed to improve our
effectiveness. Better intelligence on drug smuggling, profiling of drug users and also of
those vulnerable to drugs, documentation of the successful interventions and their analysis
will equip us better to fight the drug menace.

While cure is important, prevention remains the key. We have to devise effective
communication strategies to sensitize the youth to the dangers of drug use through the
schools and colleges, the Churches and other platforms.
With these words, I wish the Regional Resource and Training Center of Kripa Foundation
and the Network of Nagaland Drugs AIDS Organization all success in this important
mission.
God bless.
Jai Hind.