During the Covid era, when the whole world was shut down, Mize, who hails from Sibut village in East Siang, had his first closed-door glimpse into the drug world, which changed his life forever.

“I often used to hear about drug abuse problems, but during Covid, when we were all locked at home, I saw drug users in my village creating immense trouble for their families as the supply had dried up. This is when I saw what drug abuse does to families, and this is when I started a movement against drugs,” Mize told this daily.

He said he was deeply humbled to be recognised by the state’s premier media bodies. “This recognition from APC and APUWJ has given me more energy to carry on the fight. I don’t work for awards, and I believe that awards should never be given through political backing,” said Mize.

His constant fight against drug abuse has made him a target of drug suppliers. “I get death threats from the suppliers. And when they can’t scare me, they try to bribe me. I receive huge offers of money from suppliers asking me not to disturb their network.

 But I am determined to take the fight against drug abuse to a higher level in the days to come,” he said.

Further, Mize urged the state government to organise awareness programmes on drug abuse on a mass level. “Awareness programmes should be conducted at the ground level. Organising events just to use funds in closed-door settings won’t work. The government should also open more rehab centres with proper facilities,” he added.