From Our Correspondent
MAWKYRWAT, July 12: South West Khasi Hills district’s war cry against drug menace found solidarity among the pressure groups, youth and women organisations, as well as the traditional heads of different villages in Mawkyrwat area, who met Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa at a meeting here on Wednesday to deliberate over the issue of drug abuse in the district.
The speakers at the meeting were filled with concern about the rise in drug abuse cases in the district, especially Mawkyrwat area, where the numbers are alarming.
According to information from some addicts who are currently in rehabilitation centres, the drug peddlers are now targeting school students from major schools in and around Mawkyrwat area.
Speaking at the meeting, the DC called upon the citizens, pressure groups, women and youth organisations, self-help groups, teachers and headmen from the villages in South West Khasi Hills to work in collaboration with the district administration and police to protect the youth.
On reports about women drug abuse users in the district, the DC flagged the high likelihood of HIV/AIDS spreading among the people.
He asked the school authorities not to entertain strangers and shady individuals to wander around the school campuses.
At the meeting, the DC assured all stakeholders that the meeting was only the start of the initiative to combat drug abuse. He told them that more meetings will be held and decision taken in the future.