Shillong, Nov 5: The Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) held an outreach-cum-deliberation programme for graduates of Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Shillong, focusing on turning vocational skills into employment and community engagement.
The programme forms part of DREAM’s ‘Prevention with Action’ approach under the DREAM-YOUNG initiative.
Officials said prevention cannot be limited to awareness alone. It must address the underlying factors that leave youth vulnerable to substance use by creating opportunities, building capabilities and giving young people purpose and a stake in their communities.
Around 100 graduates from various trades took part in the interactive session, discussing challenges in moving from technical education to the workforce and exploring avenues for employment, entrepreneurship and further training.
A key focus was connecting graduates to vocational training and instructional opportunities in their communities and with the proposed DREAM-YOUNG skills centre, enabling them to become facilitators and role models for other youth.
The session was chaired by DREAM Mission Director Francis G Kharshiing and ITI Shillong Principal Bonnie Sawkmie.
DREAM said the deliberation marked a step towards building a preventive ecosystem where skills, livelihoods and constructive engagement work together for a drug-free Meghalaya.
