Faith institutions to lead various initiatives to curb the menace
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Feb 20: The Meghalaya government has earmarked an initial corpus fund of Rs 50 lakh to support awareness programmes, workshops, and outreach initiatives led by faith institutions in the fight against drug abuse. This demand-driven initiative is aimed at empowering religious organisations to play a more proactive role in spreading awareness, rehabilitating addicts, and strengthening community efforts against substance abuse.
This was revealed during a crucial meeting between government stakeholders and faith leaders across religions under the initiative called DREAM (Drug Reduction Elimination and Action Mission), where concerns were raised over the lack of follow-up action on previous discussions.
Representatives from the Shillong All Faith Forum (SAFF) and other religious groups urged authorities to ensure that past deliberations translate into tangible steps. Responding to these concerns, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh detailed the government’s ongoing efforts, including the formation of a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and the revival of Village Defence Parties (VDPs) to curb drug-related activities at the grassroots level. Moving beyond conventional law enforcement measures, the government is now actively enlisting faith-based institutions to create a widespread awareness movement. Leaders from various religious communities pledged their support for this initiative while emphasising the need for sustained government commitment and stronger rehabilitation programmes.
During the meeting, faith leaders voiced concerns about the growing drug menace in Meghalaya, particularly among the youth. Noor Nongrum of the Shillong Muslim Union noted that while several discussions had been held in the past, their implementation had been sluggish. Jasbir Singh, representing the Sikh community, cautioned that if Meghalaya does not act swiftly, it could face a crisis similar to Punjab, where drug addiction has had devastating consequences.
Faith leaders also shared suggestions on how religious institutions could play a greater role in the battle against drugs. Fr Richard Majaw from the Catholic Mission proposed extending the faith-based framework to schools and colleges, with government-backed funding for awareness programmes and training sessions, while PD Nongrum from the Seng Khasi community emphasised the dual responsibility of faith groups — not just in preventing drug abuse through awareness, but also in showing compassion toward those struggling with addiction. However, he stressed that law enforcement agencies must intensify their crackdown on drug-related crimes.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh assured the gathering that their concerns were being taken seriously and that concrete steps had already been initiated. “In December, we created a dedicated ANTF unit with around 40 personnel whose sole focus is tackling drug-related crimes,” he stated.
He explained that earlier, the ANTF was overburdened with multiple responsibilities, including law and order, but is now a specialised unit working exclusively on drug cases.
Another key initiative outlined by Lyngdoh was the revival and strengthening of Village Defence Parties (VDPs). Shillong previously had only 11 active VDPs, an inadequate number given the city’s growing population. To enhance community-level surveillance, the government has increased financial assistance for VDP volunteers from 800 to 3,000 per month and provided them with uniforms, torches, and other essential equipment.
Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar revealed that the government had drafted a framework outlining how religious organisations could contribute to prevention, counseling, and rehabilitation efforts.
Mission Director of DREAM, FG Kharshing, urged faith leaders to help remove the stigma surrounding drug addiction. He shared a real-life example of a family that sent their child to a rehabilitation center in Bangalore but told others he had gone for higher studies, fearing social judgment. “
The meeting, attended by faith leaders from SAFF, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Sikh community, and the Seng Khasi community, ended with a collective commitment to work alongside the government in tackling the drug crisis.