Editor,
It’s disheartening to witness the escalating drug menace that has engulfed Tura, once a serene and peaceful town in West Garo Hills. The stark reality is that drug users have skyrocketed from 2 lakh to a staggering 3 lakh in Meghalaya in just one year, as noted by Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh. This alarming increase isn’t just a statistic; it’s a growing crisis that threatens the very fabric of our society.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently declared that the Narendra Modi government’s crackdown on drugs is relentless, emphasizing a “bottom-to-top and top-to-bottom approach” in combating drug trafficking. Yet, in the plain-belt region of West Garo Hills, the numbers tell a different story. According to Minister Lyngdoh, while drug trafficking cases are reportedly on the rise, a shocking single detection of a drug-related case has been recorded from January 2025 to date in the entire area. This discrepancy raises profound questions about our law enforcement’s priorities, effectiveness, and ability to tackle this urgent problem.
The relentless efforts of the police in Garo Hills seem focused on apprehending small-time users while high-profile peddlers operate with impunity. Where is the accountability? Why are we not targeting the real culprits behind this crisis? Tura’s streets are now rife with addicts, and they pose a grave threat to the community. The essence of our once tranquil town is being eroded, and the government’s response to this urgent issue seems appallingly inadequate.
While the formation of an Anti-Narcotics Task Force is a step in the right direction, we need action that goes beyond mere discussions. What are the tangible results of these interventions? Although rehabilitation centers like the Addiction Treatment Facility at Tura Civil Hospital exist, questions remain about their accessibility and resources. Who is monitoring these centers to ensure they provide the comprehensive support that individuals struggling with addiction so desperately need?
The lack of transparency surrounding treatment facilities is a slap in the face of those grappling with addiction. The so-called Asha Bhawan, located in Bokmagre on the outskirts of Tura, supposedly run by former addicts, leaves the community in the dark. How many people in Tura are even aware of this center? It’s a sad reflection of our reality that only a handful seem to know it’s there or what it genuinely provides.
Moreover, the impotence of our so-called “intellectuals,” developmental committees, and village chiefs (A’king Nokmas) is bewildering. Is it not their responsibility to address this crisis? Are we waiting for a tragedy to strike before our leaders take meaningful action? The lack of sympathy and urgency from those in power is shocking. They seem content to sit back and watch as Tura is slowly transformed into a drug hub.
Conversations with faith leaders highlight the pressing need for a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to combat this epidemic. Yet, what tangible steps are being taken? The government’s meager financial assistance for drug demand reduction is nothing short of an insult when considering the millions needed to effectively tackle this problem.
We demand more than just promises; we need action. We deserve proactive measures, not excuses or delays. The youth of Tura are at risk of falling into a cycle of addiction, and it is the collective responsibility of our government, police, and community leaders to provide the necessary support and resources. It is time to rise and reclaim our town from the grips of this devastating drug crisis.
Chanella Sangma
Tura
Via e-mail
