Shillong can be a drug transit point: Police

A REPORTER

SHILLONG, Sept 8: As the number of drug abuse cases in the city have considerably risen in the past couple of months including the arrest of several drug peddlers SP East Khasi Hill District M Kharkrang revealed his fear that Shillong can be a transit point of drugs for other neighbouring district.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Kharkrang said, “There is a need to adopt a multi prong   approach to tackle the mece of drugs like arrests of people who are involved in illegal business besides awareness among localities, people and students.” Pointing out that the localities in the city are concerned over the mece, he said that there is a need for larger involvement of civil societies and   other agencies to be involved to get rid of the problem. When asked how a drug  user and drug peddler is differentiated by the police while arresting them along with the seizure quantity , he  said that  the latest trend indicates that drug users themselves become drug peddlers and the drug user usually sells the half of the drug which is available them since they have to sustain themselves. “If we seize 2-3 grams of drugs, we cannot say that he or she is s drug user,” Kharkrang said. According to him, as responsible citizen, the people should try to win over the drug users so that it does not discourage them when they try to get rid of the addiction. Earlier, Hynniewtrep Youth Council, (HYC) Mawlai Circle met the SP M Kharkrang and expressed its willingness to work with the police to deal with the rising number of drug users in the city. The Council also said that the law should be made stricter since many times drug peddlers are able to walk away due to the weak law.