SHILLONG: East Khasi Hills superintendent of police, Davis Marak has asserted that the city has turned into a major centre for distribution of heroin to other parts of the country.
“Narco terrorism is happening here and Shillong being the transit point, there are many players, some with militant background or affiliation, involved in the drug trafficking business to fund their anti-social activities,” Marak said, addressing a programme on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking here on Tuesday.
The theme of this year’s programme, which aims to highlight the global fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, is “Listen First – Listening to children and youths is the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.”
Terming drug abuse as a health and social problem, the SP informed about the spurt in burglary and theft cases in certain parts of the city even as people have caught many drug users in connection with those cases.
“Their desperation for drugs is leading to the crime as they need money to satisfy their cravings,” Marak said.
Making it clear that it is difficult for an addicted person to come out of drugs, he said the best thing therefore for anyone is to just say no to drugs.
He also informed that in rural Meghalaya, there were people who grow ganja with vegetables for economic benefits and for sustaining their physical activity.
Marak also revealed that drug addicts herre are given four to five packets (puriya) of heroin to sell, and if they complete the sale, they are given a packet of heroin for free. The SP further said there were many drug addicts who stay alone at home and need the support of their parents, friends and relatives to get over addition.
“Many juveniles are in the trafficking of drugs as well,” he added.
Shillong police recently held discussions with the Rangbah Shnongs to seek their cooperation in tackling the problem of drug abuse.
Earlier, A. Thangkhiew from Meghalaya Drug Users’ Network (MeDUNET), while sharing his testimony said, “At first I thought I would experiment with things but I got hooked. It had affected my work in the long run.”
Thangkhiew, who lost three of his close friends to drugs, said he had given up hope as the pain was unbearable.
“I met a person from Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya (VHAM), who gave me medicine (Oral/Opioid Substitution Therapy – OST). I felt relief after taking it. I enrolled myself at VHAM and was counseled and provided medication. My life took a turn,” said Thangkhiew.
According to the current cumulative of the Meghalaya Aids Control Society (MACS), as on May (2018), there were 2139 injecting drug users registered in five OST centres across the state.
Arvind Nongpuir, assistant professor, psychiatry department, NEIGRIHMS, while highlighting the perils of drug abuse, said that in most cases, the use of illicit drugs begins at an early age.
“The inquisitiveness to experiment or succumb to peer pressure often leads adolescents to use drugs thereby preventing them from leading a healthy and productive life,” Nongpuir said.
Stressing that drug abuse is no longer considered just a social problem, he said drug abuse is today accepted as an illness and that with proper medical intervention, it could be treated.
Later, prizes were awarded to the winners of the slogan-writing competition with Synod Higher Secondary School bagging first prize, Seven Set Higher Secondary School getting second prize and B.K. Bajoria School taking third prize.
Consolation prizes were given to Mawprem Modern Higher Secondary School and St Dominic College, Shillong.