Police call for parental monitoring to reduce drug abuse among teens

SHILLONG: Police have asked parents to monitor their children from falling into the trap of drugs.
Admitting that there is a spurt in the cases of drug abuse, both East Khasi Hills police chief Davis Marak and SP (city) Vivek Syiem called for immediate monitoring of the children by their parents.
“Youngsters, including girls, in the age group from 12 years and above are falling prey to drugs as guardians are not monitoring them often,” Syiem said.
The police said some affluent parents are either busy and not being able to give time to their wards or those parents who are poor have to eke out a living and hence are not able to be with the children.
According to police, children get a lot of free time and when they are in a group, peer pressure leads to different vices.
Marak said the trend of drug abuse leading to thefts is also on the rise in parts of the city. The youths resort to stealing to get money to buy drugs and several cases were reported to the police in this regard.
Another trend is that drug users themselves are becoming peddlers. The concern of the police is that addiction to drugs will also lead to other crimes which will affect the society.
The police are regularly conducting awareness programmes among school and college students.
Syiem said the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) is also seeking community participation to eradicate the menace. He said many people have come forward to extend support to ANTF.
It was after the rise and availability of narcotics in the country and particularly in Shillong, which led to the formation of ANTF.
Several cases of drug peddling and supply have been busted, especially that of heroin which has led to conviction of the accused in some cases. “The war on drugs, however, is still an uphill task and requires the help and involvement of the public,” the police added.