By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 5: A community accord was signed on Tuesday by representatives of various religious bodies, community organisations and the state government to combat drug menace in the state, during the DREAM and BUILD programmes organised by Social Welfare department at U Soso Tham auditorium.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who also signed the accord, emphasised the significance of youth calling them one of the greatest resources for a state and country to shift from the conservative economy to a sustainable and regenerative economy.
The chief minister said, “A number of policies and programmes of the government is centred on youth to have a more holistic policy to push what is important for us, that is, our youth,” he said.
He added that for a successful implementation of a visionary program the stakeholder approach needs to be adopted where the focus is on the stakeholder and not on targets achieved as in the scheme based approach”.
The CM further said that the children are not given guidance at the right time and that it is one of the factors leading to the issue of drug abuse.
He elucidated on how different programmes of the state government in sports, music and entrepreneurship are linked to youth
so that they channelise their potential and talent to constructive activities and do not fall prey to the menace of drug abuse.
“Once they have a sense of purpose and goal in their lives, they will be focused and work towards it,” he said.
He also announced that the CM Elevate programme will have a certain quota or reservation for organisations fighting against drug abuse and for entrepreneurs who have come out clean and sober.
Talking about the BUILD programme, the chief minister said Meghalaya is a strong community based system and community leaders play a crucial role in different social aspects.
“For social issues like drug abuse, the community is an important stakeholder not only for drug abuse elimination but also for rehabilitation of abusers and for the success of programmes like DREAM,” he said.
He added while different departments like Police, Health and Social Welfare need to work together, it is also important to work with the community. He also said that it is important to deal with drug abusers with sympathy and empathy and not to stigmatise them.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh said that the government is doing its best to ensure that drug abuse is eliminated from Meghalaya. He also thanked the different NGOs, church organisations and dorbar shnongs in their constant support against drug abuse in the state.
The CM also handed over a cheque worth Rs 6 lakh to Mawlai Dorbor for their initiatives and efforts towards drug rehabilitation.