SHILLONG: As many as 160 persons have been arrested in the city in the last three years for possession of heroin.
Informing this during a sensitisation programme on “Substance abuse and social media” at Seven Set School here on Friday, SP (City) Vivek Syiem said this is a sharp increase considering the fact that only 11 people were arrested for the offence from 2006-13.
“A total of 171 people were arrested in the last ten years for possession of heroin,” Syiem added.
The largest chunk of offenders under the NDPS Act, were from Laitumkhrah (17 per cent), followed by 15 per cent from Mawprem, 12 per cent from Polo, 10 per cent from Madanrting, 9 per cent each from Laban, Mawlai and Nongthymmai among others.
However, Syiem said that the number of cases relating to juvenile conflicts with law is showing a declining trend due to awareness programmes conducted across the city. According to official figures from a high 46 cases in 2015, the number is 28 for 2016 till date.
Speaking further at the function that was organized as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the school, Syiem said, “Drug addiction/abuse has affected the society in numerous ways.”
He also narrated an incident of how even class V students of a reputed school in the city were drawn to substance abuse.
“It is not only for the law enforcement agencies to fight the menace. People should take active part in the battle against drugs,” he said.
Syiem also highlighted the various forms of drugs such as heroin, known as the most potent form of drug, mostly produced in the ‘Golden Triangle’ or areas/regions bordering Myanmar, Laos and Thailand infamous for their opium production.
He also spoke of cannabis, which is locally available and a cheaper form of drugs. The SP (City) also pointed out psychotropic substances and inhaling stimulants. Referring to underprivileged children in Police Bazar, who sniff ‘dendrite’, an inhaling stimulant, he said, “Dendrite quenches their hunger.”
According to Syiem, among factors driving people towards drug use are curiosity, peer pressure, inferiority complex, frustration, boredom, pleasure, euphoria, feeling mature and disorder in the family.
Health issues mostly confronted by drug users are abscess, ulcers, countenance changes and drug overdose which leads to death.
Speaking on social media, Syiem said, though social media has its benefits using it in an inappropriate manner may cause more harm than good to the user.
“Interact with people you know. Never speak to strangers as anybody can be vulnerable, even students, officers etc,” he added.
