In Meghalaya Assembly Today: Minister Paul Lyngdoh Says Number of Drug Users Increase, Rs 50 Cr Sanctioned to Fight Menace

In what can be termed as a worrisome trend, Meghalaya has recorded at least 3 lakh drug addicts in the state, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh told the Meghalaya Assembly today.

“As per the latest survey, there would be roughly 3 lakh drug addicts in the state,” Lungdoh told the House adding that the state government has earmarked Rs 50 crore under the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) to combat the trafficking of drugs and to set up more rehabilitation centres in the state.

Lyngdoh also stated that the under the DREAM, the state government has also moved for the creation of more de-addiction centres throughout the state.

“As of today except for East Khasi Hills district, the rest of the districts have been identified for setting up of de-addiction centres,” he added.

Lyngdoh also said that the state has received a total sanction of Rs 1.3 lakh for the fiscal year 2021-2022 under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).

Lyngdoh was replying to a question raised by Nongkrem MLA and president of the Voice of the People Party (VPP), Ardent Basaiawmoit.

Basaiawmoit has expressed concern over the issue of drug menace becoming a nightmare for the state and urged the government to take steps to seek more funds from the Centre to tackle the problem.
On the concern expressed by the opposition in regards to Meghalaya getting very less funding from the Centre to combat drug menace.

Lyngdoh said, “Personally, I have already managed to establish contacts with the Ministry in Delhi and would be calling on the Minister in charge as soon as the session is over.”

Earlier, Lyngdoh has informed that there are 10 rehabilitation centres in the state.

Of these, six centres are supported by the state government by the Social Welfare department through public private partnership with the expert NGOs.

One centre is centrally aided by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment while three others are privately managed centres.

He said that there are 5 rehabilitation centres in East Khasi Hills District of which 3 are aided by the central government and 1 is privately managed.

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