By Bethania Sohtun
Meghalaya, like the rest of India, has been reeling under the problem of drug addiction. The situation has been spiralling out of control, and there is an urgent need for a concerted effort to tackle this issue. Some Communities like Mawlai, have done their best and found the right approach to tackle the problem and hence are on the right track; but many communities, families, and individuals are left groping in the dark because of the lack of awareness about what leads to the spread of drug addiction in the state? What are the drawbacks of our society in tackling this problem? What are the right approaches, and the immediate steps to be taken to reduce its impact? This lack of understanding keeps the society stuck, fuels stigmatization, confusion, scapegoating, public anxiety and fear-based reactions.
Meghalaya as the most vulnerable state:
Meghalaya’s drug users are roughly estimated to have touched 3 lakhs across all sections of the society which constitutes roughly 20% of the total population of Khasi and Jaintia hills – given that drug addiction has active users in these regions. The crisis is often overlooked by the people and the concerned authorities due to ignorance; hence no real effort is taken up by the concerned authorities to prevent youngsters from falling into its trap. People attribute drug use to moral lapses of a person and hence condemn or even bully such a person, who, in turn – esp victims whose families are financially unstable – receive no financial and moral support either from the government authorities or from the community. It’s a disgrace and utter negligence on the part of a leader like Mr A.L Hek, who went on record on social media platforms and was even reported in the media saying “How can they blame the govt, if the children are taking drugs, can their parents be blamed? It is the personal choice of the youth”. This statement reflects the lack of awareness, ignorance and sheer negligence which has put our state in a mess in comparison with other North-eastern States so far as tackling the spread of drug use is concerned.
Drug victims, especially victims coming from poorer sections, suffer from withdrawal and are left to their own fate for what everyone believes is their own moral lapses. Rehabilitation centres run out of spaces for BPL leaving those who really needed help and support hopeless due to lack of space and lack of financial support.
The fact that every drug victim needs support, no matter how determined they are to clean off it; the lack of the same in the state, simply leaves them suffering from withdrawal and dying.
Meghalaya falls behind in tracking the actual number of drug users in the state. In comparison to other North eastern states It falls far behind in initiating government sponsored de addiction and rehabilitation centres to cater to roughly 3 lakh drug users in the state leaving them with no choice but to die. Mizoram, Manipur, Assam has relatively many government sponsored de addiction and rehabilitation centres. Mizoram alone has more than 50 government sponsored rehabilitation centres and around 300 church backed community rehabilitation centres which shows they are in the right tract. Meghalaya in comparison has only 10 rehab centres, each having approximately 10 to 15 seats with only few seats reserved for BPL. Its heart wrenching knowing that drug users comprise a larger number from this section of the society.
Causes of the spread of drugs in Meghalaya:
There is no doubt that causes of drug addiction are generally attributed to mental health issues, peer pressure amongst others but these causes are far from being the influential factors that lead young people to addiction. The sheer increase in the number of drug users which include women and the question of a 10-year-olds taking drugs speaks more than just mental issues and peer pressure.
The first main cause of the spread of drugs is largely due to the sudden increase in the availability of drugs at a cheaper rate coming from neighbouring countries. India as a whole is affected due to its proximity to the Golden Triangle – cantered in Myanmar -which supply drugs to fund political unrest and militancy and Golden Crescent cantered in Afghanistan. The question is how can this supply be stopped?? It might be far-fetched to tell these countries to stop until some ‘World Organisation’ does something about it!
Secondly, Ignorance and lack of awareness about the effects of drug addiction have led many vulnerable sections of the society which includes young people, school dropouts and people with mental stress to fall prey to using it.
According to a research study published in The Indian Journal of Public Health (April- June 2025 issue). It was concluded that Drug initiation in Meghalaya commenced at school going and teenage years including young adults due to sheer curiosity. Unknowingly, adolescents and youth get addicted to drugs due to the lack of adequate knowledge about the effects of drugs. There is easy access to drugs in the localities and villages at rates which are affordable for young people.
How can Meghalaya handle it?
Except for a few interventions from the Meghalaya government like the establishment of the ANTF which has contributed only a bit in curbing its spread and except for the exceptional work of some communities; Meghalaya and its people are indeed in the wrong tract handling the issue of drug addiction in the state and we remain stuck, the consequence of which will be severe in years to come if we remain in the dark.
Way Forward
- Spreading Awareness: Communities, Ngos and especially the government must hold rigorous awareness programmes not only in schools but in the streets, on billboards and social media platforms in regional languages – given that drug use has spread across all sections of the society -about the impact of drug addiction and the urgent need to Push for the slogan” Say No to Drugs” ASAP. This writer has done its bit by distributing pamphlets in the year 2023 in different corners of Meghalaya to spread awareness and had seek government intervention to do the same but the then Minister of Social Welfare Mr. Paul Lyngdoh paid no heed!
- Given that there are fewer Rehabilitation centres in the state which can be attributed to government failure and public ignorance ; there is an urgent need for financial support for the victims coming from poor financial backgrounds. Community leaders, the government and esp. every MLA of every constituency, must take it upon themselves to extend financial support to such victims in their respective constituency, to send them to rehabilitation centres in the state or in other states if rehabilitation centres in the state have run out of space.
- People must stop stigmatisation and family members of any drug victim must not fear stigmatization but must come forward bravely, to seek help from the community leaders. the government and especially MLAs of their respective constituencies.
Drug users may continue to increase in our state, but with the collective efforts of concerned citizens, community leaders, NGOs, and, especially and regrettably, the government and authorities in power, we can still hope for a better and drug-free society. This will require rigorous prevention initiatives, mandatory assistance and responsiveness from MLAs, and greater government accountability for the failure of some leaders and authorities to adequately address such a pitiable situation in our state.
Whether this approach is fruitful or not is not the question. The need of the hour is for a drastic change in the approach to see some effect in the society.
The time is now! If nothing is done, human resources will deplete, ultimately civilization will be killed!
(The writer is a teacher at Sohra, teaching young adults, spanning every socioeconomic section of the society, having a unique first-hand view of how drug addiction cuts across class line to impact the youth)
