SHILLONG, MAY 20: Fifteen patients at the New Hope De-addiction Centre (Male), Mawdiangdiang, received certificates Wednesday after completing a one-month Basic Wood Technician Furniture Course, part of a wider effort by Meghalaya’s Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) to build post-rehabilitation livelihood support for people recovering from substance abuse.
“The initiative aims to equip recovering individuals with practical livelihood skills, thereby enabling their successful reintegration into society with dignity, purpose, and self-reliance,” DREAM director Francis Kharshiing said.
To ensure graduates can start work immediately, the Mission will supply toolkits upon discharge.
“The successful patients will also be provided with a wood technician toolkit to enable them to independently commence their work and livelihood activities,” he stated.
The director added, “This initiative is aimed at ensuring that they are not compelled to seek external financial support for essential tools, thereby genuinely empowering them with a sustainable and dignified opportunity for self-reliance and rehabilitation.”
The course is being run in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society (MSSDS) following a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year.
“Under this partnership, MSSDS is facilitating structured skill development programmes for patients undergoing rehabilitation in various centres across Meghalaya,” DREAM director said.
The current training is part of a larger two-year vocational skill development initiative. Patients will receive “hands-on training and livelihood-oriented skills aimed at improving employability and long-term rehabilitation outcomes,” according to him.
Linking skills to recovery, Kharshiing said, “The initiative reflects DREAM Mission’s broader vision of strengthening post-rehabilitative care and reducing the risk of relapse by creating opportunities for meaningful engagement, economic independence, and social reintegration.”
“By empowering recovering individuals with employable skills, the Mission seeks to ensure that they can rebuild their lives and emerge as productive contributors towards a healthier and stronger Meghalaya,” he noted.
The Mission director reaffirmed its commitment towards expanding such initiatives across the State and working collaboratively with partner agencies to provide holistic rehabilitation and recovery support for individuals affected by substance abuse.
, Mawdiangdiang, received certificates Wednesday after completing a one-month Basic Wood Technician Furniture Course, part of a wider effort by Meghalaya’s Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) to build post-rehabilitation livelihood support for people recovering from substance abuse.){kind=link}