Our Correspondent Kohima, June 26 (EMN): Commissioner and Secretary, Social Welfare department, Martha R Ritse on Sunday said drug abuse has become a major social concern in the world and it has proven to be a principal obstruction in the all-round development at every level; be it in the society, the country or even the world. She was addressing the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking programme held at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima jointly organised by the Social Welfare department, Narcotic Cell (PHQ), Kripa Foundation, Kohima Ao Baptist Church, Central Baptist Church Kohima and Nagaland Users Network. The official asserted, “It (drug abuse) has become a matter of concern that the number of drug abusers and incidents of illicit trafficking soared during the global pandemic. Researchers have also reported increased instances of tragic deaths due to drug overdose, triggered by many socio-economic factors including mental health issues like depression etc.” ‘The vulnerability of modern society plays a catalytic role in promoting the consumption and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic drugs. The fast-changing social milieu and the introduction of synthetic drugs and intravenous drug use leading to HIV/AIDS has also added a new dimension to the issue’. She also...