Funds to be made available to faith organisations to create awareness
Shillong, Feb 20: In an endeavour to ensure care, healing and curb the growing cases of drug and substance abuse, the state police has collaborated with faith organisation to spread awareness.
Towards this end, a meeting between faith leaders and government official was held today at State Convention Centre, wherein intervention and measures to address the concerns were discussed.
In the meeting, it was decided that the faith groups will work with the police to identify areas where drug use is high and take steps to stop it.
Awareness programs, workshops, and mentoring sessions will be organised to educate young people about the dangers of drugs.
People in need of rehabilitation will be referred to detox centers, and government grants of ₹32,000 will be available for those seeking treatment outside the state.
Counseling and skill-training workshops will also be organized to help former drug users rebuild their lives.
F.G. Kharshiing, Mission Director of the Drug Reduction, Elimination, and Action Mission (DREAM), said that faith leaders have a key role in spreading awareness and guiding communities in the fight against drug abuse.
An initial fund of ₹50 lakh has been earmarked to involve faith-based institutions in tackling the issue.
Faith institutions that wish to take part in this initiative must submit proposals outlining their plans. These proposals will be reviewed before any funding is provided.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh said that the government is engaging with different stakeholders to curb the menace.
Informing that a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) with 40 members constituted has been focused entirely on drug-related crimes.
“Meghalaya has also introduced stricter laws to detain repeat offenders, and four people have already been jailed under these new rules. Land has been made available for new rehabilitation centers, and government funding will be provided for their operation”, he informed.
He also informed that to prevent seized drugs from getting back into circulation, the government has already held two public events where confiscated drugs were destroyed in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Home Minister Prestone Tynsong.
“The government has also improved drug detection at entry and exit points by introducing scanner vehicles and sniffer dogs”, he added.
He also informed that the Village Defense Parties (VDPs) have been revived to strengthen community efforts.
“The government has increased monthly incentives for VDP volunteers from ₹800 to ₹3,000 and has also provided them with better equipment”, he said.
The minister further urged everyone to work together in the fight against drugs and stressed that teamwork is the only way to win this battle.
