A meeting that discussed about how to tackle drugs problem suggested the State government to establish rehabilitation centres to help victims of drugs.
The meeting, convened by State Planning Board chairman Lambor Malngiang, was attended by Urban Affairs Minister Hamletson Dohling, police officials, representatives of Dorbar Shnongs, Church leaders and other agencies.
During the meeting, suggestions made to immediately set up rehabilitation centres in the State to help people who have been affected by drugs.
It was also decided that house owners should thoroughly screen tenants who come from other States and other districts of Meghalaya to stay as tenants in different localities of Shillong.
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Malngiang represents Nongkrem constituency in which Madanrting area falls under his jurisdiction.
Madandring area has always been in the news due to seizure of drugs from alleged peddlers who stay there.
Malngiang termed drugs as a ‘silent war’ that destroyed the youth and many families.
Malngiang said, “House owners should screen the antecedents of people who come from other states as well as other districts of the state when they seek to stay as tenants and get their records from their respective police stations.”
The list of tenants should be also submitted to the authority concerned.
Malngiang said the meeting suggested that policy on drugs should be implemented and the Social Welfare department, which is preparing the policy, should speed up the matter.
“We will have another meeting with the Social Welfare department to specially discuss about the policy on drugs, and the need to further strengthen the policy by also including in the policy the need to set up rehabilitation centres,” he said.
On fresh survey to know the number of drug users in the State, as the last survey was conducted in 2009, Malngiang said this matter would be also taken up with the government.
“A visit would be also made to Mizoram to understand how drugs problem was tackled,” he said, adding that as per police records 31 cases related to drugs were registered so far this year.