SHILLONG, AUG 27: Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Tuesday informed there are over 3 lakh drug users in Meghalaya as per latest survey.
While replying in the Assembly, Lyngdoh said,”Since the launch of the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM), the state government has earmarked Rs 50 crore to combat the menace of drug trafficking.”
Lyngdoh also informed that the under the DREAM, the state government has also moved for the creation of more deaddiction centres throughout the state.
“As of today except for East Khasi Hills district, the rest of the districts have been identified for setting up of deaddiction centres,” he added.
On the concern expressed by the opposition in regards to Meghalaya getting very less funding from the Centre to combat drug menace, Lyngdoh said, “Personally I have already managed to establish contacts with the Ministry in Delhi and would be calling on the Minister incharge as soon as the session is over.”
VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent Basaiawmoit has expressed concern over the issue of drug menace becoming a nightmare for the state and urged the government to take steps to seek more fund from the Centre to tackle the problem.
Earlier, Lyngdoh has informed that there are 10 rehabilitation centres in the state.
Of these, six centres are supported by the state government by the Social Welfare departent through public private partnership with the expert NGOs.
One centre is centrally aided by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment while three others are privately managed centers.
He said that there are 5 rehabilitation centers in East Khasi Hills District of which 3 are aided by the central government and 1 is privately managed.