By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 27: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) state youth wing on Wednesday organised a public awareness meeting at Motphran to highlight the alarming rise of drug abuse in Meghalaya. The programme, held under the theme “U Drugs—U Jingma ia ka Jaitybnriew” (Drugs—A Danger to the Community), sought to draw public attention to what has become a growing threat to society. Representatives from the Kripa Foundation, the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS), and VPP youth leaders addressed the gathering, stressing the urgent need for coordinated action against the drug menace.
Marisa Giri Lyngdoh of the Kripa Foundation painted a grim picture of the current situation. “The law continues to favour drug users, leaving the police helpless in many cases. They are often reprimanded by judges because of legal provisions that protect addicts,” she said.
Lyngdoh pointed to the devastating impact on families, noting that many parents are forced to sell their belongings to fund their children’s treatment. “There is no support system or platform for parents of drug users,” she added.
She further raised concern about the perception that some NGOs benefit from the struggles of addicts. “We offer free counselling and therapy, but a dangerous mindset is emerging among some drug users who expect to be paid just to attend awareness programmes,” she noted.
Reflecting on the past, Lyngdoh observed that drug abuse was a minor issue two decades ago but has since escalated dramatically, damaging the social fabric.
Meanwhile, VPP state youth wing president Marbud Dkhar echoed these concerns, stating that despite heavy government investment, the number of drug users rises. “There are lakhs of youth involved in drugs, and this is a very serious concern,” he said.
Dkhar questioned why the situation remains dire despite the resources deployed. “Who is responsible for the supply of drugs in the state? Why haven’t the main suppliers or kingpins been arrested? So far, only small-time peddlers are being caught,” he said.
He emphasised that the government holds the power to act decisively through the police and administrative machinery. “Unfortunately, there is a clear lack of seriousness and commitment to tackling the problem,” he added.
Dkhar also criticised Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh for her statement that the government has not been able to control the drug crisis. “How can the Health Minister make such a remark? It looks like the government is surrendering,” he said, condemning her refusal to meet the VPP youth wing to discuss the issue.
