Concerned by the rising drugs menace in the State, the Meghalaya High Court has ordered the State government to act against the obvious drugs kingpins and not concentrate only on the small drug peddlers.
“Whether it is by simultaneously organising awareness drives and taking exemplary measures against those peddling drugs on the streets, the State machinery has to act against the obvious kingpins and not concentrate only on the mules,” the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh said in the order passed today on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by M Kharkongor.
Further, the bench said, “The State has to use the machinery to ascertain the source of drugs and the routes that the peddlers take so that ameliorative steps taken now can save the State the cost of undertaking a massive repair work upon the affliction becoming more widespread.”
The High Court also said that there has to be a serious attempt by the State government to control the entry of drugs and to keep a vigil over the spread of the menace.
“The court is not equipped to advise the State on how to go about the matter; but, surely, a much greater endeavour on the part of the State is called for,” it said.
During the hearing, S P Mahanta, Amicus Curiae informed the High Court that the drug menace in the State has reached an alarming level and unless immediate steps are taken, a generation or more may be lost to addiction.
In particular, Mahanta referred to the plight of young girls in and around Shillong and the everyday discovery of signs of drug use from all over the place, including around the golf course. He also reported about rampant drug use in Laban and other areas of the city.
The High Court also said that it is imperative that there should be a well-equipped de-addiction centre, or several centres, to particularly cater to younger girls who may be driven towards destitution upon being addicted to drugs.
“It is hoped that both the Departments of Health and Social Welfare would do their best to address the menace in an effective manner,” the court said.
Stating that the drugs menace requires immediate and urgent attention by the authorities, the High Court asked the State government to file an affidavit showing a comprehensive course of action to be mapped out by the government and the rudiments thereof. The matter will be heard again on March 23.
