Shillong, Dec 15: Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar today chaired a meeting with heads of central universities, colleges and various institutes of higher studies to advise them on the need to take effective and coordinated steps for promoting awareness against drug abuse.
Vice Chancellors, Principals and directors of leading institutions of Higher Education in Meghalaya such as Captain Williamson Sangma State University, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Indian Institute of Management(IIM), National Institute of Technology(NIT), Shillong College, St. Edmund’s College, St. Anthony’s College, and various other Universities and Colleges participated in the meeting.
Director General of Meghalaya Police and senior officials from Social Welfare, Education, Health and Family Welfare andHome(Police) Departments and various other stakeholders were also present in the meeting.
Headmen of various localities in Shillong along with Secretary of Ki Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong R.L. Blah were also present, reflecting the importance of community-level involvement.
The main aim of the program was to sensitise institutes of higher education and community representatives to become active partners in the on-going war against drugs and to build a strong, collaborative approach involving all stakeholders.
The Governor emphasised that only through close coordination between institutes of higher education, traditional village leadership, civil society, and government agencies, the youth and communities can be protected from the menace of drug abuse.
He underscored the need for mass awareness campaigns and workshops in schools and colleges, community-level monitoring mechanisms at the State, District, Block, village and institution level, and active involvement of motivators and law enforcement agencies.
The Governor also proposed recognising and honouring villages that declare themselves “Nasha Mukt Villages” as a mark of community commitment. He promised to honour such villages during the at home to be organized by the Lok Bhawan on Republic Day.
Principal Secretary to the Governor H.C. Chaudhary highlighted the importance of curbing the menace of drug and substance abuse and taking necessary steps to stop our young and creative minds from falling for this trap. He emphasised that universities and colleges are not just centres of learning; they are the spaces where young minds are shaped, aspirations take root, and values are cultivated.
Commissioner Secretary Pravin Bakshi, Roger Vincent of DREAM and Aditya Goenka from the DGP Office highlighted ongoing efforts by their respective departments and organisations to combat drug abuse and rehabilitation of the victims of drug abuse in the State.
