Nasha-Mukt Bharat campaign launched in the State

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 11, 2020

The Minister i/c Social Welfare, etc, Shri. Kyrmen Shylla today launched the State Nasha-Mukt Bharat campaign at Yojana Bhavan, Main Secretariat, Shillong. The campaign, formulated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India aims to curb the menace of drug addiction in the society.

As per the report published on the Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India 2019, Meghalaya’s current users of alcohol is 3.4%, Cannabis 1.68%, Opioid 6.34%, Sedatives 0.95%, Cocaine 0.05%, Inhalants 0.8%. The District of East Khasi Hills, West Jaintia Hills, West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills have been identified as the Districts most vulnerable in terms of substance/drug abuse.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that drugs and other intoxicants pose a serious problem in the State with dangerous consequences and has affected families and the society. He expressed concern over the steep rise in the number of substance abuse cases in the State and the country as a whole prompting the Government of India to initiate this campaign.

The Minister informed that District Nasha Mukt Committees constituted in Districts of the State will focus not just on institutional support but also on community outreach programmes in the identified districts.  Besides, these Committees will formulate plans to conduct awareness generation programmes in schools and colleges, identify victims and users and referring them to rehabilitation centres or hospitals for counselling and treatment, monitoring of counselling and treatment facilities in the districts. Further, these committees will also conduct programmes for the service providers, increase community participation and public cooperation.

On the day, the Chief Guest also released the Meghalaya Drug Abuse Prevention Policy 2020.