NONGSTOIN: The Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills, T Lyngwa has convened a meeting to discuss the menace of drugs in the district and to work on the measures to eradicate it.
The meeting was attended by church leaders, headmen, VDPs, NGOs, managing committee of various schools and superintendent of police, DM&HO, DPO, DSWO, DPRO, DSEO, SDSEO, ADM and EAC of Nongstoin.
Speaking on the occasion, Lyngwa said that youths of Nongstoin have been addicted to drug. Besides, drug peddling has also led to the rise of crime and the people have been feeling insecure, he added.
H Kharkongor, Deputy Superintendent of Police highlighted the operations of the Anti- Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) where more than 15 cases have been register since 2018.
Doctor M Bareh, District Medical & Health Officer (DM&HO) said that the Civil Hospital Nongstoin provides treatment to drug addicts and substitute OST to fight addiction.
The headmen, church leaders and others came to a conclusion that Nongstoin needs an immediate state policy which will focus on the Narcotic Drug Psychotrophic Substances Acts (NDPS). The meeting emphasised the need for a Rehabilation Centre, a psychiatric and a monitoring cell. It also decided to give a restriction order to some places where drug users throng.
