SHILLONG, Jan 19: A 50-bed Centre of Excellence is being established at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) to address the growing issue of drug addiction in Meghalaya.
The centre is being set up under the Drug Reduction, Elimination, and Action Mission (DREAM) initiative conceptualised to make the state drug-free.
The Centre of Excellence, supported by the Centre, will provide advanced treatment facilities for drug addicts and serve as a model for comprehensive rehabilitation.
Additionally, the initiative includes active engagement by the deputy commissioners (DCs) with local business leaders to support the establishment and operation of rehabilitation centres.
As part of the DREAM, the government plans to organise exposure visits to Punjab, a state that has successfully tackled its drug problem. The insights gained from Punjab’s experience will inform Meghalaya’s strategies in combating the menace.
To ensure a widespread impact, the government is involving faith leaders, providing dedicated funds to implement prevention programmes, support rehabilitation efforts, and drive community outreach. Officials believe this grassroots approach will foster long-term behavioural changes and strengthen social support systems.
Research highlights tobacco as a gateway to drug consumption. According to the 2018-19 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4), 33.6% of adolescents in Meghalaya aged 13-15 years smoke tobacco. To counter this, the ToFEI programme, a collaboration between the Education and Health Departments, has reached over 4.9 lakh students across 8,000+ schools, promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing harmful behaviours.
Officials outlined plans to implement a holistic prevention and rehabilitation strategy under the Navchetna programme, launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This includes developing a model centre for treatment and recovery, integrating substance use prevention services, and ensuring “whole person recovery” for affected individuals.
According to Meghalaya Police, the state has approximately 3 lakh drug addicts, with 6.34% using opioids, 1.68% using cannabis, and 0.05% using cocaine. Although the figures are not derived from a formal survey, they underline the urgent need for intervention.
Between 2020 and 2024, Meghalaya achieved a 23% success rate in rehabilitating drug addicts, based on data from ten state-supported and private rehabilitation centres. A total of 2,639 patients were treated during this period, with 840 individuals maintaining sobriety. East Khasi Hills recorded the highest number of treated patients at 1,786, followed by Ri-Bhoi (486), West Jaintia Hills (272), and West Khasi Hills (95).
