Meghalaya all set to implement drug policy

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 12, 2020

After a long wait, the state is all set to implement the Meghalaya Drug Abuse Prevention Policy, 2020 which aimed at having a multi-pronged approach in dealing with the problem of drug trafficking and drug use in the state. 

The policy was approved by the state cabinet on Thursday. 

After the meeting, Law Minister James K Sangma told reporters that the cabinet has approved the policy and it will come into effect from today. 

“The policy has been brought about in view of the growing concern about the drug abuse and that we need to have specific government policy to tackle this as drug menace is not just about catching peddlers…Therefore, the government has decided to come up with this policy so that we can tackle this menance in a better and coordinated manner,” he said. 

Asked whether the policy has propose for setting up of government rehabilitation centres in the state, the minister said, “Yes. It is a comprehensive policy I must say. There are many aspects to it like prevention, treatment, after care, capacity building and training for those who are in this field, study and research is required, component for strengthening and supply reduction strategy, to ensure fast track and special courts have a more stronger and bigger role to play.” 

He said a committee will also be constituted for implementation of the policy. 

On whether a state survey will be conducted on the population of drug users in the state, the minister however said, “This is a very specific question but definitely this is something that needs to be taken into consideration and I am very sure that department of social welfare will take this up.” 

It may be mentioned here that the last survey was conducted only in 2009 by the North East India Drugs and Aids Care (NEIDAC). 

As per the NEIDAC’s survey report, it had stated the number of drug users in Meghalaya had gone up to 17,833, an increase of 33 times compared to 1999 which was only 556.