SHILLONG, July 3: The KSU, South West Khasi Hills, along with the traditional heads on Monday urged Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh to set up a rehabilitation centre in the district in view of the increasing cases of drugs abuse in the district.
“There is an urgent need to set up rehabilitation centres to help the youths and people who are addicted to drugs,” KSU SWKHD president, Forwardman Nongrem, told media persons after meeting the Social Welfare Minister here.
According to him, there are many families who, due to their economic status, have been facing difficulties to continue with the treatment.
Setting up rehabilitation centres will benefit such families, Nongrem said.
Maintaining that the number of people who are into drug abuse is alarming in the district, he alleged that the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in South West Khasi Hills is not active and exists only in papers.
He said there is a need to issue a strong directive to the ANTF team to take steps to deal with this menace in the district.
“So far, not even a single drug peddler is intercepted in the district despite the increasing number of cases of people who are into drug addiction,” Nongrem said. Meanwhile, he has urged the government to empower the traditional heads in tackling the drug menace.
“The village authorities can play an active role in dealing with this menace. But they need to be empowered since the drug issue is very sensitive. I would request the government to issue a notification to empower the traditional heads,” he said.
According to Nongrem, the Social Welfare Minister has assured of speaking with the Deputy Commissioner in this regard.
