By Aiborlang Nongsiej
The increase in the number of drug addicts in the state is one of the major concerns of all good citizens. It is very unfortunate to hear that boys and girls below the age of eighteen years are already addicted to it. What has happened to our families? Why has parenting become so difficult? What are the causes that boys and girls at an early age are already in danger of this substance? Are all our children motivated towards a future of hope and progress? Why is it no longer safe to walk alone, especially in the evening? The above questions are often asked by many individuals who are concerned about the current situation.
The case of the two students of St Paul’s School, Marbisu, who went missing for a few days and were later found dead was a big shock to many parents and the society as a whole. Many are questioning as to the cause of this incident. Is it because of poor parenting? Is it because they have not understood the value of life? Were they killed or did they die by suicide? Why was such a drastic decision taken to run away from home? These are the questions in the minds of every individual.
As an educator, this writer encounters different situations among students and young people of the current time. Social media is one of the most influential forms of entertainment for young people at present. They would sacrifice even food to sit in the corner along with the mobile phone. Despite many restrictions and rules they would find ways and means to carry the mobiles inside the classrooms to play games and to click photos while the teachers are dealing with the lessons. They mostly prefer to be with the mobiles than to join their peer groups in socializing; in fact they prefer chatting with a friend on social media rather than a friend who is physically present by their side. Physical socializing has become secondary and there’s very little or no verbal conversation even among siblings at home. Mobile addiction is one of the major issues affecting young people at present. Perhaps, this loneliness and withdrawal from society with only social media for company and with lots of information pouring in from it has affected the young people. They now search for pleasure and then end up with drugs.
In the past few years, it was very rare to see young girls smoking in public, however, at present it has become a trend and they have no problem in doing so. Just within a span of a few years, the trend of young people has changed a lot and westernization has become part of the culture of young people. Being a local and a Khasi, we have lots of ethical teachings to follow. Ka akor ka burom, ka tip briew, ka tip Blei, ka tip kur ka tip kha, and kamai la ka hok are often the most popular khasi ethical teachings. Sadly, many young people have no respect for these basic ethical teachings of their ancestors. .
Nevertheless, it is not to blame the young people completely but it is the duty of each individual to help these young people to live a moral life. How many parents spend sufficient time with their children at home? Do parents educate their children on an ethical life by personal examples? In the past parents would set aside time every evening and gather the children for a conversation of ethics. This is the most important part of parenting. Parents would make sure the children were at home at the proper time (usually before dark). Definitely, this precious time of gathering the children is no longer a practice in most of the families. Every family member is in their own world and their own room with the mobile in hand.
It is perhaps this absence of ethical teaching which is one of the main causes of young people falling into drugs. On the other hand, in the state we have so many NGOs (called Sengbhalang) who often come up to protest against the government for certain issues and to make sure that justice is done to the society. But how many NGOs are protesting against the increased use of drugs and the rise in the number of drug addicts and the supply chain of drugs. NGOs can be the strong organizations to help the society return to normalcy. District towns like Mawkyrwat are no longer safe in the evening; this substance has entered into every nook and corner of the state and not only in the city. If the shopkeepers and the people running small businesses are cowering in fear because of many incidents caused by drug addicts, why are the NGOs not coming up to prevent such incidents and to hold a protest against this evil substance? Are they interested only in beneficiaries’ issues? Often we see only police seizing the drugs and arresting the dealers but the public has no information what police do with those drugs. If the government and the police department are doing their jobs faithfully, drugs can be easily eradicated and citizens will not be living in fear.
It is very unfortunate to hear that shopkeepers are unsafe in the evening. They have to close their shops at dusk which is usually the prime time for business. There are instances where individuals (drug addicts) appear at the shop and demand money openly. Why do such incidents happen in society? Drug addicts have created lots of fear and inconveniences for citizens? Several individuals have complained of being unsafe due to the increase in drug addicts. Often there is a complaint that even police are fed up in dealing with them, As a result they keep on increasing. Moreover several drug addicts are below the age of eighteen and they are the ones creating inconveniences and fear for the public.
This is a social problem in which the state government should develop a law and strong steps to prevent young people from falling prey to this evil substance. Parenting is the first step in each family. Parents have a responsibility to groom their kids in a proper manner. Young people are living in a complex world with strong influence of social media. Easy money and an easy lifestyle is often the dictum for several young people at present. For this reason, they have no guilt and no fear even to steal because no ethics have been imparted to them at the very early age.
The issue of drugs is a huge concern in our society at present. It is also very unfortunate to hear that certain places are no longer safe and citizens are living in fear as the sun sets. Therefore, the government, the police department and the NGOs must do their duties to ensure safety to all citizens and to reach out to young people on the dangers of becoming drug dependent.
(The writer is Vice Principal St Anthony’s Hr. Sec School, Shillong)