Recovering users want SADA cleansed of insensitive and counter-productive clauses

GANGTOK, 27 May: While conceding that the Sikkim Anti-Drugs ACT [SADA] 2006 was a progressive law, a number of recovering, or “willing to be reformed”, individuals are also critical of certain provisions of the Act.
At a press conference held here at a local hotel this afternoon, members of the Recovering Users Network [RUN] highlighted what they see as discrepancies and pointed out that provisions providing for arrest of substance abusers as well as imprisonment, fine and dismissal from regular service or black- listing them from government jobs if found guilty of drug abuse was a violation of the Constitution.
According to RUN, doing so goes against the concerned individual’s right to live with dignity, guaranteed under our Constitution.
Recovering Users’ Network, an umbrella organization of recovering drug addicts and alcoholics with over 300 members, ten social organisations and six rehabilitation and detoxification centers came forward today with their suggestions on how SADA should be amended to make it more holistic and humane.

RUN, in its six point proposed “amendment” to SADA wants that the policy makers send a drug abuser on arrest for compulsory detoxification rather than having them booked and sent to jail. Secondly, RUN states that a drug abusing government employee, needs treatment and help rather than imprisonment, fine and dismissal from service and should be seen as a diseased person as stated by WHO.
RUN has also pointed out that a person convicted for an offence needs to be given a chance to socially “re-integrate” rather than disqualification from service and stigmatization. Another point raised is that the manufacture of controlled substances within the state should also be under surveillance.
Substance Abuse in Sikkim is mostly of prescription drugs which are manufactured legally, even in Sikkim. The Act however includes a contradiction when it says that “manufacturing” (of substances of abuse) should be banned.
The advisor to the organization, KC Nima, the president, Gyamtso Tamang, along with human right activist advocate Doma Bhutia stressed that the World Health Organization had, way back in 1984, declared that addiction and alcoholism were diseases which should be treated by opening up more and more Rehabilitation centers.
“There are members now who have stood above stigma and are speaking out openly and sharing their ordeal when it comes to supporting the government in fulfilling the dream and vision of making Sikkim a drug free state. We feel the need to show where the blocks need to be put for a solid wall since we know what it is to be in recovery”, shared Gyamtso Tamang.
They have also called for opening at least one government- run rehabilitation centre for the underprivileged, who, despite their willingness to go for treatment, cannot afford it due to financial constraints.
“The Act, when it was framed, was not given a holistic approach, not much research was done which makes some of the sections in the Act very vague. The Act does not have a progressive implementation pattern which alone can curb the prevailing menace of drug abuse in Sikkim”, stated Dr. Bhutia.
The office-bearers of the Recovering Users’ Network have suggested a six- point necessary amendment in the Act to remove the shortcomings like lack of social re-integration, stigma and discrimination to ensure proper surveillance during manufacture of controlled substances within the State and allowing a reformed drug abuser to re-integrate with the society instead of stigmatizing the individual in recovery.
“There is nothing about us without us; if you need to support the dream and vision of our government to make Sikkim a Drug Free state, then we the members have to be taken into confidence when such important policies are being framed. How will someone who has not gone through hell know how and what an addict and alcoholic feels and needs”, concluded Mr. KC Nima.
Lastly, it may be mentioned that the press conference which was attended by members and their families was coordinated by the Journalist’s Club of Sikkim [JCS].