Shillong, Feb 21: The Child Parliament, a group of children aged between 8 and 18 years old, has urged the government and the dorbar shnongs to set up free rehab or treatment centres to rescue drug addicts.
Formed under the supervision of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, the Child Parliament is under the umbrella of the North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers Welfare Trust (NERDWWT) and National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM).
Established in 2005, the Child Parliament has received formal recognition from the state government
Speaking to media, Emanuel Nongneng from the Child Parliament of Nongrah said that many households have been destroyed due to the presence of drugs. “I request the state government and also the Dorbar Shnongs to set up rehab centers or treatment centers, so that the children who are addicted to drugs can be rescued,” he said.
Emanuel said that not only adults but children have become addicted to drugs. Such children are no longer interested to go to school and change their behaviour and sleep on the streets, he said.
Drug addiction has become a pressing issue that extends beyond the individual, affecting families, he said.
According to Emanuel, in Shillong there are only expensive hospitals, so there is a need for a place to treat children struggling with addiction.
Furthermore, other children demanded the arrest of individuals who sell cigarettes, alcohol and drugs to children.
Addressing the parents, the Child Parliament members said that the “love of parents is the greatest medicine and the best medicine.”
The children also appealed police to adopt a compassionate approach towards children afflicted by addiction.
The Child Parliament has about 500 children and the kids belong mostly to domestic workers and daily labourers, however there are also the offspring of officers.
On behalf of Daleena Francis, State Coordinator of the National Domestic Workers Movement said it was established to work for the children of domestic workers under the Child Right Movement (CRM).
