SHILLONG, Dec 30: Days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards the issue of drug menace, the state unit of the party on Friday launched an anti-drug campaign in East Shillong constituency.
As part of the programme, a campaign video was launched, a state-level anti-drug team was constituted and an eight-point party proposal to counter the drug menace in Meghalaya was released.
“The eight-point proposal includes co-ordinated inter-state government monitoring, Northeast anti-drug squad, establishing a Directorate of Prosecution in Meghalaya, state-run de-addiction centres separately for males and females, subsidised/grant for counselling centres, regular counselling at school and colleges, engaging anti-drug volunteers at booth level and toll-free assistance for those seeking treatment,” a statement from the BJP said.
During the programme, the BJP also distributed jerseys to sports clubs as a part of the anti-drug campaign with an aim to promote sports for the youths.
Addressing the gathering, state BJP president Ernest Mawrie informed that different programmes will be carried out across the state to counter the issue of drug menace.
“The mission goal programme launched by BJP is not only for elections but shall be continued post elections too. We, as a party, are totally committed to solve this problem and will ensure our Home Minister Amit Shah’s commitment of zero tolerance on the drug menace is stood by,” Mawrie said, informing that Meghalaya has nearly 2.5 lakh drug users, which is 7.65 per cent of the total state population.
He also informed that a rally will be organised by the BJP against drug abuse on January 7 in West Shillong constituency, which will be led by the Mahila Morcha.