Aizawl: The Working Committee on Ruihhlo Do (Drug Control), chaired by Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, met at the Secretariat Conference Hall at MINECO on Friday to review various measures being undertaken to combat drug abuse in Mizoram.
Representatives of government departments and organisations presented reports on their ongoing activities, while the meeting discussed further measures to strengthen drug prevention and control efforts.
Excise and Narcotics Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar said reports from various departments and the Central Young Mizo Association (YMA) indicate that the prices of heroin and codeine-based cough syrup commonly used as intoxicants have risen sharply in Mizoram in recent times.
“According to reports from various departments and the Central YMA, the prices of heroin and codeine-based cough syrup used as intoxicants have increased significantly in Mizoram recently. This appears to indicate that the availability of drugs is gradually declining, which is a positive development,” Hmar said.
“However, this does not mean that drugs have disappeared. Demand remains very high, and we need to continue our efforts to combat drug abuse and prevent new users,” he added.
According to a report presented by Central YMA representatives, the reduced availability and rising prices of heroin in Aizawl and other parts of Mizoram have reportedly led to a significant increase in the number of Mizo youths travelling towards Vairengte in search of drugs.
The movement is being monitored in coordination with the Excise and Narcotics Department and police. The meeting stressed the need for closer cooperation between the Kolasib District Superintendent of Police and Cachar District Superintendent of Police to strengthen efforts against drug-related activities along the Mizoram-Assam border.
The committee also discussed the need to make drug-awareness campaigns more systematic, with clear objectives and greater coordination. While various organisations, churches and government departments have been conducting awareness and prevention programmes within their respective areas, participants discussed ways to adopt a more coordinated approach.
The Food and Drugs Administration under the Health and Family Welfare Department briefed the meeting on measures to regulate codeine-based cough syrups and prevent their misuse as intoxicants.
The meeting also discussed ways to strengthen the functioning of Village Level Task Forces on Drug Control.
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Key issues concerning drug-prevention education among school students were also highlighted, along with measures to strengthen cooperation with churches in preventing drug abuse.
The Working Committee on Ruihhlo Do comprises representatives from seven government departments, various civil society organisations and churches.
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