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

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

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

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while Myanmar is the second largest. India is both a transit route and a destination for such<br />

drugs. About 3 million people in the country are estimated to be the victims <strong>of</strong> drugs.<br />

Smuggling <strong>of</strong> drugs from Myanmar poses a threat to the north eastern States, including<br />

<strong>Nagaland</strong>. Opiates are being smuggled through <strong>Nagaland</strong> from Moreh and from areas<br />

bordering Myanmar. Prescription drugs are being smuggled from other States for illicit drug<br />

use. There is high incidence <strong>of</strong> intra-venous drug use in the State leading to spread <strong>of</strong><br />

HIV/AIDS. The Central and the State agencies should coordinate effectively and make<br />

renewed efforts to check smuggling <strong>of</strong> drugs.<br />

If the drug availability is one half <strong>of</strong> the problem, the willingness to consume drugs is the<br />

other half. I would say that it is the more important factor. Today, we know that social<br />

conditions play a critical role in vulnerability <strong>of</strong> our youth towards drugs. The traditional<br />

tribal society has seen too much <strong>of</strong> change within a few decades. Urbanization and<br />

modernity have diluted traditional social controls within the community and the family. This<br />

has made our youngsters more vulnerable to drugs.<br />

The response to this challenge must come from within the community. I am glad to notice<br />

that specialized NGOs have come up in <strong>Nagaland</strong> to generate awareness and make<br />

interventions against drug use. Linkages with such NGOs, community based institutions and<br />

Government agencies should be strengthened for increasing the effectiveness <strong>of</strong> the fight<br />

against drugs.<br />

A deeper understanding <strong>of</strong> the drug use in all its aspects is needed to improve our<br />

effectiveness. Better intelligence on drug smuggling, pr<strong>of</strong>iling <strong>of</strong> drug users and also <strong>of</strong><br />

those vulnerable to drugs, documentation <strong>of</strong> the successful interventions and their analysis<br />

will equip us better to fight the drug menace.

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