By Ranjit Bose
The recent announcements by Meghalaya’s Social Welfare Minister, Paul Lyngdoh, mark a significant and commendable shift towards a multi-pronged strategy to combat the state’s escalating drug menace. The government’s comprehensive roadmap includes school-based intervention, community engagement, surveillance, psychiatric support, and partnerships with NGOs, religious groups, and even sports clubs. However, while these efforts are a step in the right direction, a deeper analysis reveals both opportunities and gaps that must be addressed for sustainable impact.
Strengths in the Current Approach
The government’s current multi-pronged approach under the DREAM Mission demonstrates a strong and commendable commitment to combating drug abuse in Meghalaya. The most encouraging element is the focus on early intervention, with over 100 school teachers being trained as counsellors to work with young students from Classes II to V. This age-specific targeting is a forward-thinking step toward prevention rather than mere containment. Moreover, the decision to subsidize 50% of the training fee reflects institutional support and recognition of the value of mental health professionals in education.
The collaboration with Sanker Centre for Neurology and Mental Health, and the upcoming MoU with the Kerala Psychiatric Society, further signals a welcome move to enhance psychiatric and de-addiction care in the state, addressing the acute shortage of qualified personnel. The partnership with Shillong Lajong FC and engagement with faith-based institutions and Dorbar Shnongs show a grounded effort to build a community-centric and destigmatized model of intervention. The state’s decision to conduct a vulnerability-mapping drug abuse survey with support from UNODC reflects a data-driven approach, which is crucial for long-term planning. Additionally, proactive steps like the induction of sniffer dogs, procurement of narcotics scanning vehicles, and the expansion of VDPs (Village Defence Parties) point to a developing ecosystem for both preventive and enforcement mechanisms.
Critical Gaps & Concerns
Despite the many positives, certain critical gaps and structural concerns remain. While training teachers as counsellors is progressive, it risks becoming tokenistic if not backed by regular follow-up, refresher training, and an ecosystem of psychological support. Teachers may find it hard to juggle this role with academic duties unless aided by full-time support systems. There is also no mention of parental sensitization — a significant oversight, considering that early intervention needs a family-centric strategy.
The proposed de-addiction and rehabilitation approach seems overly dependent on institutional collaborations, which might delay on-ground results in rural and interior regions due to logistical hurdles. The shortage of rehab centres, especially community-based and youth-friendly ones, continues to be a major barrier. The reliance on a handful of NGOs or institutions for mental health capacity-building is also risky unless scaled through a sustainable public health infrastructure.
Moreover, there is little clarity on how follow-up care and relapse prevention will be managed once addicts are discharged from detox centres. Without structured reintegration efforts, many risk returning to drug use. Similarly, while surveillance and law enforcement efforts are ramping up, there is no mention of cross-border coordination, especially with Northeast India’s exposure to drug trafficking routes. Finally, the absence of technology integration for awareness, reporting, or real-time community feedback creates a disconnect in reaching the digital generation most vulnerable to new-age substance abuse.
Out-of-the-Box Solutions
To deepen and diversify the current response to the drug menace in Meghalaya, several innovative, community-driven and tech-integrated ideas can be introduced.
First, a “Peer Mentors Against Substance Abuse (P-MASA)” program can be initiated, where recovered addicts and youth volunteers are trained and certified as peer mentors. These individuals, having faced similar struggles, can connect more deeply with at-risk youth and offer counselling, support, and real-life testimony. This can be managed through short-term intensive courses by institutions like Sanker Centre.
Next, with drug trade increasingly shifting to digital platforms, a “Digital Detox Detectives” taskforce should be formed to monitor online drug transactions, emerging trends, and social media triggers. These tech-savvy volunteers or interns, possibly from engineering or IT backgrounds, can work under the supervision of the Cyber Crime Cell to plug this critical gap.
In rural and semi-urban areas, where access to formal mental health care is limited, Community-Based Healing Hubs could be developed. These are low-cost, volunteer-run centres offering basic psychosocial support and referral services, possibly functioning out of Anganwadi centres, community halls, or unused government spaces. Periodic visits by trained mental health professionals can ensure quality of support.
To promote substance-free environments in schools, a “Substance-Free School Index (SFSI)” could be introduced. This would rate and reward schools based on their anti-drug practices, student involvement, awareness initiatives, and feedback. Gamification of prevention efforts through this model would incentivize schools to maintain a vigilant and supportive environment.
Another key component is rehabilitation through employment. Partnering with corporate houses and local industries under CSR initiatives, a Job-Readiness and Employment Integration Program can be launched to reintegrate recovered addicts into society. This helps reduce relapse by restoring dignity, financial stability, and purpose in their lives.
Lastly, considering the shortage of psychiatrists and infrastructure in remote areas, Mobile Counselling Vans with Telepsychiatry support could be introduced. These vans, equipped with Wi-Fi, tablets, and mental health counsellors, can travel to underserved areas and connect clients to psychiatrists remotely. This approach offers both reach and resource optimization.
Together, these interventions can build a holistic, resilient, and sustainable framework for preventing substance abuse and supporting recovery across Meghalaya.
Lyngdoh’s approach admirably blends policy, community, and health frameworks. However, for a durable impact, the strategy must broaden its focus to include informal structures, rural outreach, digital vigilance, and youth leadership. A preventive culture must be created—not just around addiction, but around mental health, peer pressure, and socio-economic gaps that fuel drug abuse in the first place.
(The writer can be reached at bose.ranjit@protonmail.com)
