Shillong: In an effort to combat drug abuse and foster unity among stakeholders, the Meghalaya social welfare department, as part of the recently launched Dream Drug Reduction Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM), organized a programme in an attempt to bring unity amongst community stakeholders in the fight against drugs at the U Soso Tham Auditorium here today.
As an integral aspect of the Community-State led initiative among stakeholders to combat the drug menace, community members including faith-based leaders and Rangbah Shnongs (headmen), Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei (women’s organizations) along with Synjuk Ki Dorbar united in a symbolic gesture by signing the Community Accord.
“Launched “BUILD”- Bringing Unity In Locale against Drugs a community-state forum under the Drug Reduction Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM). The fight against drug abuse is not a battle against drug abusers but it is a fight against the root cause of the problem,” the CM said in a social media post.
“The staggering figures of drug abusers and rising case of drug busts in Meghalaya is a serious problem we need to tackle together as a community,” he added.
“The responsibility lies on each of us as members of the community to support those gripped by the drug menace and encourage them to overcome their addiction. As a government, we are committed to BUILD a Meghalaya free from drugs,” the CM underscored.
Director General of Police (DGP), Meghalaya, L.R Bishnoi expressed the police force’s commitment to community engagement and highlighted the severity of the drug-related challenges faced by Meghalaya. He highlighted Meghalaya’s geographical proximity to the notorious Golden Triangle, a region known for the production and trafficking of opium and heroin, making the state particularly vulnerable.
The DGP disclosed that Meghalaya had witnessed 116 drug-related cases and arrested 234 peddlers in 2022. Additionally, 349 cases of drug trafficking were reported so far, resulting in the seizure of significant quantities of various narcotics, including 60.7 kgs of heroin and 7.5 kgs of Yaba tablets.
He also said that nearly 1800 awareness programmes have already been conducted across the State against the menace of drugs.
