Shillong, Sep 9: Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh today assured the House that the state government is fully committed to tackling this issue through a multi-pronged strategy that combines law enforcement, prevention, awareness, rehabilitation and empowerment.
Lyngdoh was speaking in reply to a special motion brought by opposition legislators Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit and Adelbert Nongrum. Lyngdoh also appealed to society-parents, teachers, and community leaders to join this collective fight.
“Drugs destroy lives, families, and futures. Together, we must ensure Meghalaya remains safe, secure, and free from the scourge of narcotics,” he added.
According to him in the last five years, the state police have undertaken intensive operations resulting in 603 cases registered and 1,069 arrests made. He also said that there has been seizures of 40.97kg of heroin, 12,756.47kg of cannabis, 14.23kg of crystal methamphetamine, 76.50kg of Yaba (a mix of meth and caffeine) tablets, 16,448kg of psychotropic substances and 1,24,906 bottles of codeine-based cough syrup. In addition, Rs 195.36 lakh in cash has also been recovered.
He added that from 2020-2025, a total of 3,543 individuals have undergone treatment at rehabilitation centres across the State Meghalaya now has 12 rehabilitation centres.
