Drug addicts give Oakland residents sleepless nights

SHILLONG: The deserted road behind the MLA hostel in Oakland turns into drug addicts’ den after sunset.
Worried residents of Oakland and European Ward say the road from the junction near City Dhaba, Earle Holiday Home towards Ward’s Lake is taken over by intoxicated people as soon as dusk sets in. Pedestrians too find the road unsafe.
Those who have to go through the ordeal of crossing the stretch say youths under the influence of psychedelic substances, whose penetrating smell fills the air in the area, walk back and forth while their equally inebriated counterparts help each other all along this road and over the dam that separates the lake and Botanical Garden on either side.
A section of the people has expressed surprise at the presence of these drug addicts near the MLA Hostel. Many are of the opinion that the otherwise deserted and quiet area is suitably utilised by the addicts.
Pedestrians and residents are bothered about this trend because they are not only causing inconveniences to them but are also putting the city and the State in a bad light by their presence and harmful acts right near one of the most visited tourist sites in the city.
Thos who are addicted to drugs hide in between parked vehicles, behind trees and traffic signboards, and other areas.
Meanwhile, the concerned residents have urged the Sadar PS and the district administration to initiate immediate action to curb this menace.
Those who have seen the good work of Sadar Police Station personnel in clearing the Keating Road area of illegal liquor sellers are demanding a similar sort of action in case of Oakland too.