AITC state chief asks govt to set up rehab centres in every district

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 3, 2024

AITC state president and Nongthymmai legislator Charles Pyngrope has asserted the need to set up rehabilitation centres in every district of the state to address the growing problem of drug menace.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Pyngrope said, “Well, I think we have discussed this in length in the last autumn session of the House and it is a matter of concern and some of the suggestions, which were raised from the opposition are very valid, where we need to create infrastructure in every district that can accommodate the drug users and addicts to be rehabilitated. We can’t depend just on private enterprise alone. This is a subject, which has to be taken seriously by the department and the government as a whole.”

He said that the government has to come forward and at a fast speed as building of infrastructure is very important because you need to house them for one year minimum.

Lauding the proactive steps taken by the government in tackling the menace, Pyngrope however said, “It needs to be accelerated considering the pace in which the problem is growing.”

Asked,  the Nongthymmai legislator said, “I look at it very differently. There are NGOs, who are also very genuine and who are working and I am in touch with them also, who are doing it with their own expenses, with no help from the government.

However, the department can always tie up with the NGOs but keep a tap on what they are doing and a record of everything. You just can’t give them the funds and then close your eyes and then expect that the funds to be used judiciously.

But having said that, I have no doubt in my mind that there are organizations in Shillong and the entire state, who are doing this work without any money they are getting but that will not solve the problem.”

“In fact, NGOs had come to me and requested for a vehicle. They said we got the addicts but how to take them. Some are aggressive, some don’t want to get into a fight so they have them strap down and taken to a nearest centre and they need a vehicle.

I have asked my team from the constituency that we may have to include one vehicle from the SRWP scheme of this year so that it can be provided to them to do this work but I will still say that just by me doing it will not solve the problem,” he added.