SHILLONG:Â
The government will fund three of the five proposed de-addiction centres and aims to establish such facilities across the state. In response to VPP legislator from Mawlai, Brightstarwell Marbaniang’s inquiry during the Assembly’s Question Hour on September 20, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh assured that there will be a particular emphasis on setting up de-addiction centres for women, as none currently exist.
Earlier, the VPP legislator had inquired about the government’s funding commitment for the proposed de-addiction centres.
Marbaniang, representing his constituency, further expressed his concern about the absence of a new proposal for the East Khasi Hills District and passionately appealed for the establishment of a deaddiction centre in Mawlai. He emphasised, “Mawlai is reportedly a hotbed of drug users, and the problem of drug abuse is not just urban-centric but has spread throughout the state. We need one here, especially to help those from economically backward populations.”
In response to these pressing concerns, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh unveiled the government’s vision, saying, “The DREAM project will be headed by the Social Welfare Department, with an attempt to establish deaddiction centres across the state. There will be particular emphasis on a women’s deaddiction centre, as there are none available currently. This project will also provide support to other centres like Sanker.