The first consultative meeting of Nagaland Operation Dawn (NOD), a Christian Rehabilitation Mission, was held Saturday at Hotel Japfü. Project Director of Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), Dr. Neiphi Kire was the guest of honour for the programme.
Expressing deep concern, Dr. Neiphi Kire said that the twin epidemic of drugs and AIDS had adversely affected not only the physical condition but had crippled the entire population. He said that the alarming rate of drugs, alcohol and AIDS was seen to have empowered the younger generation. While lauding the NGOs for their efforts in reducing Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Nagaland from 39% to 1.5%, Dr. Kire said that the number of alcohol and drug users had increased with a total of 60,000 in the state.
Dr. Kire further enunciated that a detailed study on the advantages and disadvantages of the Alcohol Prohibition Act in the state be made, while stating that every home in Nagaland bear the scars of alcoholism though the state had been declared a dry state. He also stated that there was an urgent need to check free trafficking of drugs and illegal trading in international borders of the state. With the epidemic of HIV/AIDS, he also stated that people with history of risky behavior should come forward for HIV test and avail the services provided.
To develop a concerted effort towards addressing these serious issues, Dr. Kire called upon the NGOs, government departments, churches, and individuals involved in this area to have close coordination and bond. He further lauded the Nagaland Operation Dawn for its effort in helping drug users and alcoholics. He stated that the spiritual and Christ-centred strategy of the NOD was the right thing to do for a state like Nagaland.
Programme Director of NOD, Veküdu Lohe said that Operation Dawn was one of the most successful rehab ministries as it is based on the word of God. Stating that every Naga faces problem of drug abuse and alcoholism, Lohe said that it was high time the people worked together for them and save the younger generation.
The meeting was also marked by the release of the first booklet of NOD by Dr. Neiphi Kire. A time of sharing was proposed by Boshi Vamuzo, song was presented by students of Faith Theological Seminary, Kohima; while the programme was chaired by Dr. R. Rose, OSD, project Orchid-EHA.
Formed in 1968, the Operation Dawn Rehabilitation Ministry was founded by Rev. John Paul Chan of Hong Kong. The Operation Dawn rehab mission came to Nagaland in 1997 and the rehab centre was established on August 1, 1997, at Dzu-ü under Kohima district by Boshi Vamuzo. Another branch was temporarily set up on August 3, 2002 at Chozuba town through the initiation of Veküdu Lohe. The new Nagaland Operation Dawn is now at Chozuba town, collaborating with Operation Dawn International, Taiwan as its headquarters.
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