As part of the observation of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023, the office of the District Social Welfare Officer of East Khasi Hills, in collaboration with the office of the District Child Protection Officer, District Child Protection Unit, and partner NGOs Kripa Foundation and KJP Synod Sepngi’s Urban Mission, organised a three-day roadshow.
The first day, June 20, saw the roadshow go to Motphran and Mawlai Phudmuri, followed by Jhalupara and Laimer Kynton the following day and Police Bazar, Laitumkhrah and Lad Smit yesterday.
The programmes were chaired by B Chyne, Protection Officer (Non-Institutional Care), of the District Child Protection Unit. Introductory speeches about the campaign to make India drug-free (Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan) were shared at each programme.
The roadshows used folklore by popular RJ Zack from Red FM, messages from locality representatives, pledge-taking ceremonies, pamphlets and dances by St Edmund’s College students
Experts on hand were counsellors S Marbaniang, Keshab Lamsal, Grace Thongni from Kripa and KJP Synod Sepngi. They spoke about the basics of drugs, ill effects of drugs, alcoholism and other substance abuse, information on the national toll-free helpline 14446, availability and facilities including the contact details and emails about the de-addiction centres in East Khasi Hills.
