Shillong, May 22: The Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) is scaling up a transformative student internship initiative aimed at mobilising youth as peer-led champions against drug abuse.
DREAM Mission Director Francis Kharshiing said this approach plays a crucial role in empowering individuals and families to access support services and reduce stigma associated with addiction and rehabilitation as well as promote a message that help is available and recovery is possible.
The initiative has already begun when 33 student interns from William Carey University undertook a peer-led approach at an awareness programme held in Nongmensong today. The anti-drug awareness programmes was also held across Police Bazar, Ïewmawlong in collaboration with Bosco Integrated Development Society (BIDS).
Kharshiing emphasised that unlike traditional awareness programs, which often consist of one-way lectures, DREAM’s model encourages active youth participation and peer engagement. By transforming students into anti-drug ambassadors, the initiative promotes a culture of understanding and support within schools, colleges, and broader communities.
He said the programme equips students with essential skills to conduct awareness campaigns, act as peer counsellors, and foster open dialogue around drug-related issues. This strategy will significantly reduce the stigma attached to addiction, while also encouraging proactive early intervention among youth. It enables participants to develop self-confidence, leadership abilities, and communication skills, all of which are vital in championing their cause, Kharshiing said.
Kharshiing noted that by creating what he termed, an “army of anti-drug ambassadors,” the initiative aims to create a lasting and impactful model of prevention. This approach enables messages about support and recovery to resonate deeply within the youth community, ensuring that help is both accessible and available, he added.
