Faith-based organisations, NGOs taken on board for DREAM in Garo Hills
Shillong, April 24: The Baptist Church in Garo Hills has decided to join hands with the state government for the latter’s Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM).
A DREAM team on Thursday conducted a site inspection of a proposed rehabilitation centre to be established by the Baptist Church in West Garo Hills district.
“This initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening rehabilitation infrastructure in the region through collaboration with faith-based institutions,” DREAM director Francis Kharshiing said after a high-level coordination meeting at Tura on Friday.
The rehabilitation centre is among a series of strategic interventions initiated by DREAM across Garo Hills region in the past couple of days.
DREAM will intensify anti-drug awareness campaigns and facilitate establishment of rehabilitation centres across Garo Hills, reinforcing its commitment to building a coordinated, community-driven response to substance abuse, he said.
The meeting held at the office of Superintendent of Police at Tura was attended by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Western Range, Deputy Commissioners, SP, West Garo Hills, District Social Welfare Officers, partner NGOs under DREAM, and representatives from faith-based institutions and civil society from all districts of Garo Hills.
“The meeting focused on strengthening convergence mechanisms to augment DREAM’s initiatives in the region,” Kharshiing said.
“Emphasis was laid on expanding the network of stakeholders to intensify anti-drug awareness campaigns and facilitate the establishment of rehabilitation centres across Garo Hills.”
Members were apprised of DREAM’s ongoing interventions and explored pathways for contextual adaptation and implementation within the region, he added.
The deliberations included brainstorming on the prevailing drug scenario, leading to the identification of several innovative approaches.
“These included adventure-based counselling models, structured student internship and engagement programmes, and capacity-building initiatives through online counselling certification courses offered via the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Eco-platform,” Kharshiing said.
“The consultations concluded with a shared resolve among all stakeholders to adopt a proactive, collaborative, and sustained approach to address substance abuse,” he said. “DREAM reaffirmed its commitment to scaling up targeted interventions in Garo Hills, working closely with government agencies, civil society, and community institutions.”
“With renewed momentum and strengthened partnerships, DREAM continues its mission towards realizing a Drug-Free Meghalaya,” Kharshiing added.
