States » EastPosted at: Jun 26 2025 7:43PM


Joint fight must tackle drug menace: Meghalaya CM

Shillong, June 26 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma on Thursday called upon the people of the state to lead the fight against drugs.
Addressing a gathering to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Sangma laid out a strong, visionary roadmap to tackle the drug menace in the state.
The event was organised by the Social Welfare Department in collaboration with Meghalaya Police, Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, and the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM).
He emphasised that the government is committed to not only enforcement but also to holistic recovery, involving health systems, education, youth engagement, and strong community partnerships.
“We cannot look at this as just a law enforcement issue. It is a public health, social and developmental issue. DREAM is our mission to fight this together — as a state, as a people,” the Chief Minister said.
Outlining the state’s achievements in law enforcement in the past three years, Sangma said, Meghalaya Police has seized over Rs. 1,000 crores worth of narcotics including heroin, ganja, opium and crystal meth.
A total of 1,031 drug cases have been filed and more than 422 have already been charge-sheeted.
“Specialised units like the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTG) are being further strengthened, and new tools such as drug scanners and trained canine squads are being introduced,” he said.
The government’s flagship programme — DREAM — is a comprehensive, multi-sectoral initiative that addresses both the supply and demand side of substance abuse.
Under DREAM, the Chief Minister said the government has committed Rs. 50 crores over five years to support rehabilitation centres, especially those run by faith-based and community-led organisations.
Additional funds will be mobilised as needed, he said.
Through DREAM, the government is working closely with village councils, youth clubs, SHGs, and faith-based institutions to raise awareness, support treatment and rehabilitation, and ensure no one is left behind.
As part of DREAM’s community-based strategy, the state government also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM), a reputed national organisation.
The partnership aims to create customised toolkits and training modules for schools, teachers, local communities and NGOs to build an informed, drug-resilient society.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, reinforced the government’s multi-pronged approach, even as he praised the Meghalaya Police for dedicating the ANTF exclusively to drug enforcement and highlighted the introduction of preventive-detention provisions under the NDPS Act for repeat traffickers.
Calling for community solidarity, Lyngdoh said, “We need every ward and every dorbar to become a nerve-centre of vigilance and compassion. This fight is not ‘us versus them’; it is ‘all of us versus drugs’.”
He also invoked a powerful local reference — recalling how a Swiss couple built the historic Pinewood Hotel just one year after the 1897 earthquake devastated the region — as a reminder of Meghalaya’s resilience and ability to rebuild stronger.
He urged communities in places like Cantonment, Mawlai, and other vulnerable areas to come together, not just to enforce but to heal.
The event also celebrated over 20 Recovery Champions who have overcome addiction and now serve as beacons of hope in their communities.
Community Champions and grassroots organisations including Life Care Foundation, United A’chik Society for Serving and Building the Nation, Japang NGO, A’chik Baptist Krima IV (Tura), Ka Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei, and U-Matters Multipurpose Cooperative Society were also honoured for their contributions in prevention, outreach and rehabilitation.
Winners of awareness-building activities such as football and basketball tournaments and the Cycle Rally for Recovery were felicitated during the programme, which also featured musical and dramatic performances, expert talks, and interactive sessions with youth and social workers.
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