International Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking Observed in Khliehriat

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 26, 2021

The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed on Saturday at Jaintia Eastern College, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District. The programme was organized by the District Legal Services Authority, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat under the theme “Share facts on drugs, save lives”.

Addressing the gathering, Secretary of District Legal Services Authority, East Jaintia Hills District, DS Marbaniang briefed on the importance of observing the international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. He informed that the problem of drug abuse does not only exist in the urban sector but is also prevalent in remote areas. Speaking on the theme of the programme, he encouraged the exchange of facts related to drugs in order to save lives and urged the gathering to create awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse on individuals and their families.

The Secretary of District Legal Services Authority also expressed his concern on the alarming rise in the number of school students who are drug addicts in the state and he calls for a joint effort to solve this problem. He further stressed the importance of setting up a rehabilitation center run by the Government or NGOs in the district for addressing drug abuse and to help the drug users in their combat against drug addiction especially those from economically backward families. He reiterated that”There is a need for all the stakeholders, Police department, NGOs and citizens to work together to curb the drug menace in the district and to also help the drug users in overcoming addiction and to bring them back to the society”.

The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime,  East Jaintia Hills District, P Suchiang, MPS gave a brief presentation on the present scenario of alcoholism and substance abuse in the state of Meghalaya and he stated that the most prominent danger to society at present is drug abuse and alcoholism. He also said that the precious lives of the youth of the District are dependent on alcohol and substance abuse which both have a negative impact on their lives and their families.

He informed the gathering that there are many cases registered every year and the number keeps on increasing even in Jaintia Hills District. He further said that the registered cases speak volumes of how much the penetration level that drugs and alcoholism have affected society. “When people taking drugs are busted and arrested, it is sad to say that they are not only victims of drug abuse but they are also the victims of HIV and AIDS”, he added. He urged the students present at the gathering to be the flag bearers in spreading awareness on facts relating to drugs, to take care of their health, and to stay away from using drugs and alcohol.

The resource persons of the programme were S Pdang, Legal Officer, East Jaintia Hills District who spoke about the NDPS Act 1985, Dr. P. Nongtdu,  Principal, Jaintia Eastern College and Dr. J. Nongtdu, I/C OST Khliehriat spoke on matters relating to drugs abuse, Rihok Bamon and Smt. R. Patlong, Mihmyntdu Community Social Welfare Association, East Jaintia Hills District who offered the vote of thanks.