''Mizos are fortunate to have YMA, which safeguards Mizoram traditional values and customs and protects the society from social evils,'' Mr Lal Thanhawla said at the drug-burning ceremony held on the premises of the central YMA office at Tuikhuahtlang here.
The burnt drugs included heroin, ganja and other abused pharmaceutical drugs worth a total of Rs 7,86,450, seized by volunteers of YMAs anti-drug department called Central Anti-drugs Squad (CADS) in the state capital during the last three months. Excluding the drugs torched today, CADS has so far seized different kinds of drugs worth 184,85,892 since it became operational in May 2010. Painkiller spasmo-proxivon, and Parvon Spas which has similar contents, are the most abused drugs by youths in Mizoram, and they dominated the seized drugs.
The Chief Minister underlined the need for stronger law to deal with pharmaceutical drugs abuse to ensure that drug smugglers and peddlers spend more time in jail. ''Drug smugglers get out of jail to soon, which could discourage the YMAs anti-drug volunteers. We need stronger law to deal more effectively with this social menace that poses greatest to our youths,'' he said.
The Young Mizo Association had declared a state-wide crusade against drugs and liquor from 2005 which had resulted in a sharp decline in drug related deaths in the state. However, the NGO drew criticisms from human rights organisations and activists in how it dealt with alleged drug smugglers and bootleggers. It suspended the crusade for a year and resumed from May 2010 by forming the central anti-drug squads. Lal Thanhawla today appreciated the YMA volunteers for fighting the social evils under the ambit of the law.