Right Direction

The state government’s proposal to set up new drug rehabilitation and de-addiction centres and induction of the Shillong All Faiths Forum (SAFF) in the fight against drug abuse, come at a time when the menace appears to be spreading its tentacles far and wide in the state. Of late, seizures of drugs have been mounting which is evidence of growing trade and consumption. The menace must be checked promptly and for that, society as a whole will have to step in to supplement the government’s efforts. SAFF’s role in spreading awareness about the ill effects of drugs will be significant since its members are respected and they can thus influence youths to desist  from falling prey to the life-threatening indulgence. On the other hand, establishment of the rehabilitation and de-addiction centres will help to get those who have fallen victim, to return to normal life; the government’s assertion that such centres will be monitored is also welcome since proper functioning of these facilities can build faith for addicts to take help.

Yet another aspect in this war on drugs that could be worth a relook is the law that governs both trade and consumption of drugs. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) introduced in 1985 is known to be stringent, but there are also reports that it has its loopholes that both who deal in drugs and who consume can exploit and escape its dragnet; it is then back to square one for both the groups; the law must be such that it can deter prospective drug dealers and consumers alike and, therefore, the NDPS Act’s provisions may be reviewed to eradicate the loopholes. Drugs per se have been around for long, but the problem arises when these are misused—for instance, wrong drugs or wrong amount of the right one. The victims are mostly young people who expect drugs to give them relief or joy, not realizing that in the long run it will affect their own health while bringing misery to their families.

Nowadays, even students still in elementary schools succumb to the temptation at the behest of their friends or those they follow.  In this era of high unemployment, educated and qualified youths become dejected and frustrated which may gradually lead them to seek comfort and solace in drugs. While stringent laws are indeed required to deal with the burgeoning problem, it is important that society also engages with addicts with empathy in order to try and wean them away from the debilitating habit. Most significant in such cases for both addicts and family is to admit and not to hide so that ways and means can be found to bring them back to normal life.