IMPHAL: A report by the Social Awareness Service Organisation (SASO) has revealed that 81 people, including 21 women, have lost their lives to drug overdose in Manipur over the past two decades.
The non-profit organization, dedicated to combating drug abuse in the state, shared this grim data during an event commemorating International Overdose Awareness Day.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on 31 August each year since 2001. Its purpose is to raise awareness of overdoses, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends.
Sashikumar, the General Secretary of SASO, stated that between 2004 and March 2024, a total of 1737 overdose cases were reported in Manipur.
While 1,656 lives were saved, the remaining 81 individuals tragically succumbed to the effects of substance abuse.
This report highlights the serious and ongoing drug overdose crisis in Manipur, underscoring the urgent need for effective prevention, treatment, and harm reduction measures.
In 2005, SASO recorded only five such instances, but the numbers have steadily risen since then.
The use of intoxicating substances in Manipur, especially along the sensitive border, is a major cause of concern for the state government.
Manipur has a long-standing history of substance abuse, with the problem becoming more complex since the 1980s.
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The report indicated that 4% of the population aged 10-75 years in Manipur is affected by opioid use, making it the fifth-highest prevalence rate in India.
Notably, the Manipur government launched the War on Drugs campaign in November 2018. The N Biren Singh-led state government has in the past few years destroyed numerous poppy farms as part of its “War against drugs” campaign.
