An Observation on why the North East States are prone to Drug Use

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An Observation on why the North East States are prone to Drug Use

The north east parts of India are known for the high Injecting of Drug. As a

matter of fact this is the main reason why high prevalence of HIV and HCV is

much higher in this trend in India. As an observation going some years back and

seeing the scenario of the north east states of India particularly the states of

Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, we have seen people using Opium, Cannabis and

Alcohol. And as the scenario change we have come across with people using

Tablets and injecting Morphine so, here my observation is that when we have so

call KHOLAs (Users place in Manipur) for Opium and Cannabis we didn't have

problem during those time and only few people use it.

As soon as the problem Law and Order break out it is very simultaneous when the

using of drug (Heroine & Pharmaceutical) started in some pockets of Manipur. To

be very honest we have Law and Order problem and at the same time we have lots

of 'Diktats' in different issue and different situation from the Underground

Organizations and the receiving ends are always the eldolscent, youths of course

the general population .

To highlight an example of the consequence comes out of the Diktats by

Underground groups i.e. the states of Nagaland,Manipur and Mizoram are all Dry

State even though alcohol is available in some location, as a matter of fact

during times of festivals, holidays or vacations or any time of a day when

teenage or youth or others who wanted some leisure or recreational mood or

festive mood they can't have a glass/can of beer or wine or some light alcohol,

so they straight away go for any kind of drugs available (majority normally use

dextropropoxyphene i.e.Spasmo Proxyvon). This is one of the major factor behind

high use of drug in the states. The teenage or the youth ends up injecting this

is when the problems of HIV, HCV and other blood borne diseases come in.

The people of these states particularly Nagaland,Manipur an Mizoram needs to

think very seriously the consequence coming out of the Diktats by the

Underground groups and talk to them with evidence from all sector

i.e.UNODC,UNAIDS,WHO and others.

Lastly as a citizen who really observes the trend and as a suggestion/idea we

must come out from the cocoon of the stereo type thinking and fight together for

the betterment of the north east part of India particularly in the three states

namely Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Thanking you

Kh.Manihar

E-mail: khomanihar@...