By Our Reporter
Shillong: The rise in substance abuse amongst children, within the East Khasi Hills District has prompted the District Child Protection Committee under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner to prohibit the selling of Intoxicating substances, including dendrite to children below the age of 18 years.
The notification which was issued by the district administration here on Wednesday was directed to all the shop keepers within the district selling stationery items like dendrite, white ink, besides other intoxicants.
The Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Sanjay Goyal, on Wednesday said that it is difficult to keep track of shops selling intoxicants to children, but; “We are making the shopkeepers aware of the fact that most children buy dendrite and other stationery items to intoxicate themselves”.
When asked about the number of such cases in the district, Goyal said that an exact number is not available at present, but there are few cases wherein children are buying and using such intoxicating substances.
“Normally, most office stationery items often bought by children are like the white ink. The shopkeepers’ should be vigilant and alert, besides checking out the number of times they visit the same shop for the same item”, added the DC.
Goyal did not rule out the possibility that most street children are subjected to substance abuse owing to their poor hectic schedule and lifestyle.
The DC has also stated that selling intoxicating substances to children below the age of 18 years is strictly prohibited and punishable by law; besides directing all shopkeepers to comply and adhere with the direction.
