Shillong, Sep 1: East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem today urged citizens and community organisations not to resort to violence against drug users, warning that such actions will only worsen the problem rather than solve it.
He also warned that legal action will be taken against any person found perpetrating such assaults.
In recent days, videos of youths suspected to be drug users being assaulted have surfaced on social media, raising alarm.. Addressing the issue, Syiem said police are investigating the videos to identify both the perpetrators and the locations where the incidents occurred.
“Though drug usage is a menace in society, this is not the way we handle drug users because this can be very counterproductive. Assaulting them will only push the problem underground and make it harder to address,” he said.
The SP warned that such actions could also fuel a rise in HIV cases, as public health workers and NGOs would struggle to reach drug users if they are driven into hiding. Citing experiences in Manipur, he said humiliation and public flogging of drug users had proven ineffective and damaging.
“We urge public organisations not to resort to this kind of activity because it is not only dehumanising but also compounds the problem,” he stressed.
While acknowledging the growing crime linked to drug abuse in Shillong, he emphasised that tackling the issue must remain within the legal framework. “If you apprehend any drug user, please hand them over to the police. We are trained to handle such cases. Courts will not accept extrajudicial actions like beating or intimidating them,” he added.
On the police response to such vigilante action, the SP assured that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found assaulting drug users. He also reiterated the role of awareness programmes and treatment initiatives, including syringe exchange programmes, in addressing both drug use and associated health risks.
The SP acknowledged that the assaults could be the fallout from recent attacks by drug users on school children, one in Jaiaw and another in Nongthymmai, but police are still trying to ascertain all the details.
