Meghalaya To Get Drug De-Addiction Centre At NEIGRIHMS To Combat Drug Menace

SHILLONG: A 50-bed Centre of Excellence is being established at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) to address the growing issue of drug addiction in Meghalaya. The centre is being set up under the Drug Reduction, Elimination, and Action Mission (DREAM) initiative conceptualised to make the state drug-free.

The Centre of Excellence, supported by the Centre, will provide advanced treatment facilities for drug addicts and serve as a model for comprehensive rehabilitation. Additionally, the initiative includes active engagement by the deputy commissioners (DCs) with local business leaders to support the establishment and operation of rehabilitation centres.

As part of the DREAM, the government plans to organise exposure visits to Punjab, a state that has successfully tackled its drug problem. The insights gained from Punjab’s experience will inform Meghalaya’s strategies in combating the menace.

According to the 2018-19 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS-4), 33.6% of adolescents in Meghalaya aged 13-15 years smoke tobacco. To counter this, the ToFEI programme, a collaboration between the Education and Health Departments, has reached over 4.9 lakh students across 8,000+ schools, promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing harmful behaviours.

Officials outlined plans to implement a holistic prevention and rehabilitation strategy under the Navchetna programme, launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

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