SHILLONG:
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, on June 12, informed that the government has identified seven districts as hotspots of drug addiction and trafficking. “These are districts where the incidents of drug abuse have gone sky high,” he said.
The districts include – East Khasi Hills, East and West Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi, West Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills.
The government has also identified different localities and villages under the respective districts that are considered as hotspots or vulnerable areas.
In East Khasi Hills, the different areas included — Madanriting, Jhalupara, Laitumkhrah, Nongthymmai, Polo, Nongmynsong, Mawlai, Mawprem, Lumdiengjri, Iew Mawlong, Mawngap, Mawryngkneng and Pynursla.
When asked about the latest figures relating to the number of drug users in the state, Lyngdoh said that the government is compiling fresh statistics, and said that, “there is not only the question of updating the figures but in certain cases, the same person goes to the different rehab centres, using different names – so there is a problem of getting correct statistics.”
Now, under the ‘DREAM’ project, which is an acronym for Drug Reduction Elimination and Action Mission – a mission that will work towards a drug-free Meghalaya, all centres will use a single platform, online and offline, “so that we have the figures correct – the identity of a user being treated to remain anonymous but correct.”
Replying to a query on the number of deaths because of drug usage, the minister said, “We will, under the fresh survey, also include the mortality figures.”
To a question on the rehabilitation centres across the state, Lyngdoh said that all rehab centres across Meghalaya are being supported by the state government.
He also informed that the government is working towards setting up de-addiction centres to be run entirely by the social welfare department.
In the first phase, the government will identify three from the seven districts declared as drug hotspots. “We will first identify three districts – wherever the scene is grim and requires attention,” he said.
“Five de-addiction centres in the state have the full backing of the government like Break Through Centre at Khliehtyrshi in Jowai, Kripa foundation, KJPA New Life De-Addiction Centre, New Hope De-Addiction centre in Shillong and KJPA Selda at Nongstoin. In these centres, free treatment is being provided to the users.,” Lyngdoh informed.
Furthermore, the minister informed that the concerns of all line departments are being taken into consideration during a meeting held in Shillong on June 12, adding that the government will also involve students through the students’ cadets in all the schools.
“An important aspect of tackling this problem is to involve the society,” he said, adding that he will be meeting heads of religious institutions under the All Faith Forum, on June 14.
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