The ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur could be closely linked to drug use, as the rapid increase in drug demand has led to the rise of drug mafias and certain ethnic groups engaging in large-scale poppy cultivation and illicit drug trafficking, secretary of ‘The Overcomers’, Sagolshem Herojit has said.
Herojit made this statement during a one-day awareness programme on “Drug Use and Its Related Harm,” held at the multipurpose hall of Naorem Birahari College, Imphal East, on Saturday. The event was jointly organised by ‘The Overcomers and Naorem Birahari College (NSS Unit 1, 2, and IQAC)’ and sponsored by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur.
Speaking as a resource person, Herojit emphasised the far-reaching harms of drug use, which not only affects an individual’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being but also undermines the potential and productivity of society as a whole. He further highlighted that enormous sums of money have been wasted on drug use over the past four decades.
According to the 2019 report by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, there are an estimated 34,344 intravenous drug users in the state.
Including other forms of drug use, the total number of drug users may exceed one lakh. With the increasing availability of cheap drugs in recent years, this number is likely to rise.
“If an average drug user spends a minimum of Rs 500 per day on drugs, the total daily expenditure amounts to Rs 5 crore, and Rs 1,825 crore annually. This sum could have made a significant contribution to society if it had been spent on constructive causes,” Herojit added.
He also pointed out that the state government’s strict policies against poppy cultivation and drug trafficking have led to widespread resentment among certain ethnic communities involved in these illegal activities, which may have fuelled the ethnic violence in the state.
Herojit concluded by stating that it is the responsibility of every individual to prevent drug use and avoid its unwanted consequences in order to build a drug-free society.
Naorem Birahari College Principal, Irom Kunjabati, also spoke at the event, stating that such awareness programmes provide crucial knowledge about the harmful effects of drug use.
This knowledge not only benefits the participating students but also empowers them to spread the message to others.
She emphasized the critical role of youth in building a drug-free society and expressed her gratitude to ‘The Overcomers’ and the Department of Social Welfare for organizing such a valuable programme.
