Meghalaya BJP launches Anti Drugs campaign in West Shillong constituency on Saturday.
Calling the area as most affected, State BJP President Ernest Mawrie said the Anti Drugs Rally is being organised from Mawbah (Barapathar Taxi Stand) to Nongsohphoh (Naspatigari) Gorkha Paathshala School Ground.
We have taken a decision from our state BJP to organise this rally anti drug campaign and we have decided to organise this campaign in 18 West Shillong because it is the most affected area and that’s why we have launched the programme here,” State BJP President Ernest Mawrie said.
Several women volunteers participated in the event. Mawrie said “This is not a mere election issue but the programme will continue even after elections are over to eradicate the menace of drugs from this 18 west constituency and the state as a whole.”
He also maintained that BJP is the first political party to take up this crucial issue.
The party also released a eight point proposal to counter the drug menace in the state.
The eight point proposal includes co-ordinated inter state government monitoring, Northeast anti drug squad, establishing a Directorate of Prosecution in Meghalaya, state run de-addiction centres separately for male and female, subsidized or grant for counselling centers, regular counselling at school and colleges, engaging anti drug volunteers at booth level and toll free assistance for those seeking treatment.
The party president Ernest Mawrie said that different programmes will be carried out state wide to counter this problem. The mission goal programme launched by BJP is not only for elections but shall be continued post elections too. Mawrie stated that Meghalaya has nearly 2.5 lakh drug users which are 7.65 % of the state population.
“We as a party are totally committed to solve this problem and will ensure our Home Minister Amit Shah’s commitment of zero tolerance on the drug menace is stood by,” he said.
The party also distributed pamplets to the resident as a part of the anti drug campaign with an aim to promote awareness.
“We will continue our fight against drugs as drugs have now reached the districts and also to the interior of Meghalaya,” he said.
Proximity to the Golden Triangle makes Meghalaya susceptible to drug menace. Meghalaya being near the Golden Triangle, an opium-producing area of SE Asia comprising parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, is more susceptible to the menace of drug abuse due to the easy availability of drugs.
“BJP as a party has taken up initiatives to eradicate drugs. The party will organise more such programmes to educate people particularly youths not to take drugs, Mawrie added.