By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 27: Addiction, often burdened with societal stigma, is traditionally seen as a moral failing or a weakness of willpower. However, perceptions are shifting as medical professionals, policymakers, and even traditional institutions come together to reframe addiction—not as a crime, but as a disease.
This transformation was evident at a two-day training program on addiction medicine held at SANKER in Shillong, where doctors from Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh gathered to learn how to heal rather than punish those trapped in the cycle of substance abuse.
Speaking at the event, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh assured full support from the state government in tackling drug addiction. He highlighted the role of the DREAM project in rehabilitating addicts and reintegrating them into society. However, he stressed that the government alone cannot win this battle.
He called on traditional institutions to step forward, emphasising that addiction should not be seen as solely the government’s responsibility. Breaking the stigma, he said, is essential for real change.
Lyngdoh also reflected on a personal memory from 1997, when he saw a group of friends battling addiction perform the song “Try a Little Kindness.” Even after nearly three decades, the experience reinforced his belief that addiction must be met with understanding, not judgment.
While the government has taken various measures to combat drug abuse over the years, the challenge remains complex. Many addicts create a sense of insecurity in their communities, necessitating intervention at a political level. However, Lyngdoh stressed that fear-driven responses are not the solution — genuine efforts toward rehabilitation are needed.
Drawing a parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, he pointed out how, instead of supporting those infected, society chose to stigmatise them. He recalled the case of Dr Sailo, a doctor who dedicated his life to public health but was denied a proper burial by the very society he had served. He questioned whether such treatment of caregivers reflected the values society should uphold, urging people to rethink their attitudes.
Encouraging positive alternatives to addiction, Lyngdoh suggested that individuals struggling with substance abuse should be supported in developing their talents. Whether in music or other creative fields, nurturing these skills could help them find purpose and a path to recovery. He expressed confidence that, with the right intervention, addicts could lead fulfilling and productive lives.
Dr Sandi Syiem, who heads SANKER, made a passionate appeal for a shift in perception — both within society and the medical community. He emphasized that addiction has long been recognized internationally as a mental illness, yet it continues to be misunderstood and stigmatized.
He recalled how, in 1971, the War on Drugs was waged with brute force, financial power, and widespread human rights violations. It took over fifty years for the world to realize that addiction is not a moral failing but a medical condition requiring compassion and treatment.
Dr Syiem argued that substance abuse must be addressed on humanitarian grounds, offering a simple yet powerful analogy: “If a family member were suffering from an illness, they would not be locked away or abandoned — so why should addiction be treated any differently?”
He explained that addiction is a chronic illness, affecting individuals differently. While many people consume alcohol recreationally without becoming dependent, others develop addictions. Understanding why this happens, he said, is key to providing effective treatment.
The training aimed to equip young doctors with the knowledge to recognise how addiction takes hold and how best to treat it. Acknowledging the challenges, Dr Syiem stated that loving an addict is difficult but without love and compassion, recovery is impossible.
The program at SANKER marks the beginning of a broader effort to prepare medical officers to handle addiction with sensitivity and expertise. Dr Syiem expressed hope that this would be the first of many such initiatives, ensuring that doctors across the region treat addiction as a medical issue rather than a moral failing.
With the combined efforts of the government, medical professionals, and society at large, Meghalaya is taking meaningful steps toward a more compassionate and effective approach to addiction recovery.