DREAM today organised a unique meeting with the parents of individuals affected by drug addiction.
The purpose of the meeting was to offer support to these youths and assist in their recovery. Francis Kharshiing, the Mission Director of DREAM, met with the parents to discuss the challenges they are facing.
During the meeting, the group addressed the difficulties encountered by the affected youth, provided counseling, and offered support. Most importantly, they focused on the stigma that these young people experience due to their involvement in substance abuse.
Speaking with the media, Kharshiing mentioned that this initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to support these young individuals.
He emphasized that through this campaign, DREAM aims to help them transform their lives, particularly in overcoming the discrimination that the government is actively working to eliminate.
Kharshiing recognized the struggles and concerns of the parents, which is why this meeting was organized to provide them with necessary support as well.
Speaking to reporters he said that there are currently ten de-addiction addiction rehabilitation centers in operation and that five more centers are being set up due to interest from various parties.
“We will take this matter seriously with the government and provide as much support as possible to these rehabs. Most treatments are free, and patients from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families receive treatment costing Rs 32,000 at no charge,” he stated.
He also pointed out troubling information that addicts typically spend between Rs 2,000 and Rs 2,500 daily on heroin.
“What I have heard is that the cost ranges from about Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per day, which is a significant amount. This is a very disturbing fact,” he said.
Currently, there are about 300 patients in the rehabilitation centers. Kharshiing mentioned that DREAM serves as a focal point where various departments collaborate on this issue.
“We also will soon hold meetings with college and school principals, and next week we will meet with the Seng Samla to discuss how to tackle this problem,” he added.
He also highlighted that drug addiction should be viewed as a disease that significantly impacts the youth involved and that can be treated.
