By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Along with the rest of the world, Shillong observed the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Wednesday to raise awareness of the major problem that illicit drugs present to society.
Marking this day, the Social Welfare department in collaboration with the regional resource training centre, Kohima and partnering NGOs organised a consultation meet to discuss on the issue and come out with plausible recommendations and strategies to curb drug and substance abuse in the State as well as neighbouring states.
Inaugurating the meet, social welfare minister Deborah C Marak said that substance abuse is a serious concern to all, most of which is drawn to the fact that small children especially street children are the vulnerable group who are exposed to such kinds of menace.
Pointing out that there is an increase of drug addiction amongst children and women, Marak said that there is a need for sensitization in these areas. “The condition becomes worse with the inclusion of children about 6-7 years of age in the list according to the 2008-09 statistics,” she added.
Terming drug abuse as a disease, the social welfare minister has called upon the top officials of the department and the line department, partner NGOs to sensitize the school students and teaches about its ill effects by conducting training and awareness programmes.
Meanwhile, Director of the Regional Resource Training Centre (RRTC), Kohima Dr P Ngully spoke at length about the different types of drugs, its effects on individuals, the family and the society and the various modes of treatment.
He also presented the north east scenario with regard to cases of drug and substance abuse stating that drugs like heroin has already make road to states like Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. “There is an inflow of drugs from Myanmar to the North Eastern states through Guwahati,” he said.
He however, mentioned that drug abuse is a problem which could tackled and curb with the united efforts of all the stakeholders to ensure that stigmatization is taken care of and better treatment is given to an addict.
The day was also observed by the East Khasi Hills Police by organising an awareness programme as part of its initiative called the ‘Safe-Secure-Shillong’ here at the premises of Shillong College on Wednesday which was attended by as many as 200 students of the college.