By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 14: Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai asserted that the state government is seriously committed to eradicating drugs from Meghalaya and is taking a collective approach to address the issue.
Addressing a drug awareness campaign organised by the Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei (LKSK) in collaboration with DREAM (Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission) programme at Lower Lumparing, Shullai said the Chief Minister has involved all Cabinet Ministers in discussions on the drug menace, instead of limiting the matter to the Social Welfare department alone, in order to seek suggestions and inputs from all quarters.
He said that under the DREAM, the government has committed Rs 50 crore to support various faith-based organisations and NGOs running rehabilitation centres for a period of five years as part of the anti-drug initiative. He urged civil society organisations, Dorbar Shnongs, NGOs and citizens to come together in the fight against drugs and to save children from falling into addiction. Touching on the issue of women being abandoned by their husbands, Shullai said he often tells youth organisations to identify, catch and expose individuals who destroy society by abandoning their wives and children, forcing women to work long hours to support their families. “Women must strongly oppose such wrongdoers who are destroying our women and also create awareness,” he said.
The minister further stated that during his tenure as a public representative, he has observed cases in his constituency where women, whose husbands are alcoholics, sometimes bring along borrowed or unrelated children while seeking financial help.
Meanwhile, DREAM Mission Director Francis Kharshiing said there is an urgent need for proper data on the number of drug users in the state. He welcomed the government’s acceptance of DREAM’s proposal to conduct a comprehensive survey. “We have signed an agreement to carry out the survey with Sankardev College. It will begin within a month and is expected to be completed within six months. Once completed, we will be able to identify priority areas that need focused intervention,” he said.
Kharshiing also highlighted the shortage of rehabilitation centres, stating that a new centre has recently been opened at Laitkor, while two more will soon be established at Khliehriat and Jowai, along with another at Nongstoin.
He added that discussions are underway with the Salesians of the Catholic Church to set up a major rehabilitation centre at RRTC, Umran in Ri Bhoi district, which will include both rehabilitation and vocational training facilities.
As part of awareness efforts, DREAM has published 10,000 calendars embedded with QR codes and is distributing them free of cost, along with stickers, across Shillong, Jowai, Tura and Nongstoin. Taxi drivers have also been requested to encourage families affected by drug addiction to scan the QR codes, which provide a list of rehabilitation centres along with contact numbers.
Kharshiing said many youths battling drug addiction have reported that they learned about rehabilitation services through the QR codes. He also noted that parents often face difficulties as drug-addicted children become involved in petty crimes and burglaries. “If everyone does not participate, it will be difficult to eradicate drugs from the state. We need to build public confidence in the system, whether it is the police or the DREAM,” he said.
Highlighting stigma as a major challenge, Kharshiing said families affected by drug addiction are often looked down upon, which discourages people from seeking help. “As a society, we must help overcome this stigma, as many sufferers hesitate to seek assistance due to fear of being judged,” he added.
