By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Number of registered female drug users in the state is on the rise over the past few years.According to the reports prepared by the Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya (VHAM), FIDU 181 Project-UNODC, till date there are 92 registered female drug users and 60 partners of male injecting drugs users in Shillong.
It is also reported that many female drug users who are still in hiding as they fear of being stigmatized and discriminated by the society. “This is one of the main reasons why the female drug users still fear to expose themselves in the society ”, member of VHAM, Ronald Phanwar stated.
Sharing her experiences at a one day consultation workshop on issues pertaining to female drug users organized by the voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya (VHAM), FIDU 181 Project-UNODC held at Raitong Building here on Tuesday, Pakma said she was disqualified from the women football team and Bharat Scouts and Guides when they discovered the truth about her. Meanwhile, pointing out one of the main causes of this problem, Nongkrem MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit said an alarming rise of drug users in the state that has increased about 33 times just in ten years can been traced back to broken families, lack of parenting and degradation of moral values.He also said that there is a need to focus on the structure of the lifestyle of a family at the same time concentrate on establishment of a healthy family..
“This is a matter of serious concern and the dangers is yet to be acknowledged by the society at large due to lack of understanding”, he said adding that the government must ensure that drug traffickers should be dealt with seriously according to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
While commenting on methods to do away with this menace, the Nongkrem MLA said “A single approach cannot tackle this problem. What we need is the involvement of the society, churches and civil societies”.
Meanwhile, Programme Manager of VHAM FIDU 181 Project-UNODC, Ivyreen Warjri said the female drug users differ from their male counterparts in term of background, reasons for drug use and psychosocial needs.
“Majority of the female injecting drug users are child bearing age, pregnant injecting drug user form another sub-group of female injecting drug users with specific needs. The co-incidence of stigma against female injecting drug users with pregnancy exposes them to a severe stigma and discrimination” Warjri informed.
Incest, economic hardship, physical abuse, cultural influences, depression, harassment, relationship problems, loneliness, and social isolation, were among the few pressing mental health concerns that were identified.