Aizawl: The central committee of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) and the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee (MKHC), a conglomerate of 14 major churches in Mizoram, have agreed to make a collective effort to combat drugs and alcohol abuse in the Mizoram.

In a joint meeting held between the leaders of YMA and MKHC at Synod Committee room here on Monday, both sides deliberated on a wide range of issues concerning rapid increase of drug smuggling and drug abuse in the state and how to combat the menace collectively.

YMA president Vanlalruata said they discussed issues relating to the impact of drugs and alcohol on people, especially the young, and the need for a combined effort to combat drugs.

He said YMA has been trying for a long time to combat drugs and alcohol abuse in the state through massive drives but their efforts had turned futile. "We are dumbfounded to see the menace of drugs increase rapidly in the state but are helpless to accelerate our fight beyond this capacity," he added.

Vanlalruata said the YMA and the MKHC agreed to make a combined effort with the help of prayers to check the growing cases of drug and alcohol abuse.

According to YMA records, at least 964 people died in Aizawl because of consumption of alcohol between 2013 and 2016.

The record also said at least 4,642 people are affected at present by drug abuse.