By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 30: Additional Mission Director of Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM), Camelia Doreen Lyngwa, has made a clarion call for collaborative efforts to combat the growing menace of drug abuse, cautioning that failure to act collectively could result in losing an entire generation of youth to the scourge of drugs.
Lyngwa, who is also the Director and Joint Secretary of Social Welfare department, was speaking as the chief guest at a one-day workshop held on the theme ‘Digital Dangers: How Cyber Crime Fuels Drug Abuse’ in Shillong.
The event was organised by the Social Welfare department and supported by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), in collaboration with DREAM, the Meghalaya Police (Cyber Crime Division), Dreamzware Software Solutions, Hyderabad and Kripa Foundation.
In her address, Lyngwa spoke about the state government’s commitment to developmental and welfare initiatives, while emphasising the department’s focused efforts to support and uplift the people of Meghalaya.
She urged that the fight against drug abuse must not be left to the government alone but should involve educators, parents, NGOs, law enforcement and communities.
The workshop was attended by principals, teachers and heads of departments from schools and colleges, along with representatives of NGOs, professional counselors and parents.
Although Meghalaya has not yet recorded any cases of drug abuse facilitated through the Dark Web, the department highlighted the urgent need to sensitise stakeholders to the emerging threat.
Increasingly, young people are being exposed to drugs via digital platforms such as social media, online gaming networks, messaging platforms and encrypted apps—often tied to wider illicit activities.
