By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 11: As a part of its 26th foundation day, the youth wing of the United Democratic Party (UDP) organised an awareness talk on “youth and drug menace” at its party office on Monday.
Speaking as the resource person during the programme, Manbha Foundation’s director Anthony Syiemiong said drug addiction is threatening the future of a large number of young people in the state.
He stressed the importance of handling such youths with empathy and taking care of them so that they can integrate back into society as responsible and productive citizens.
He said the problem of drug abuse is like a pandemic since children between 13 and 14 years of age are into drugs.
Stating that they are fighting a losing battle, Syiemiong said the number of youths doing drugs has been increasing with each passing day.
“There are many young addicts facing untimely death. We are not having a strong support system to deal with this menace,” he said.
Underscoring the need for more rehabilitation centres in the state, he said people who come from a poor financial background are facing a huge problem as the treatment is very expensive.
A rehabilitation course costs about Rs 35,000.
Syiemiong lamented the lack of recreation centres or indoor stadiums in many localities to allow the youth to engage themselves and keep off drugs.
“There is also a feeling of frustration among the youth due to the unemployment problem. This frustration is a factor behind drug addiction,” he said.
Others present during the programme included the UDP’s state youth wing president and Cabinet minister Kyrmen Shylla, the party’s working president Titosstarwell Chyne, and vice-president Allantry F. Dkhar.
