Shillong, Aug 18: The Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM) on Tuesday launched the state’s first structured induction training for personnel of the newly opened government-supported Sewa Inland Rehabilitation Centre in Tura, West Garo Hills.
The three-day programme, being held from August 18 to 20 in collaboration with San-Ker, Centre for Mental Health and Neurology, Shillong, brings together doctors, counsellors and support staff recruited for the facility.
Designed as a mix of classroom sessions and field exposure, the training aims to equip the team with clinical, operational and psychosocial skills needed to run a rehabilitation centre effectively and humanely.
“This is the first induction programme initiated by the DREAM Mission,” DREAM director Francis Kharshiing said.
“By introducing standardised training and professional practices from the outset, we expect to bring about systemic change in how rehabilitation services are delivered across the state.”
DREAM has decided to make this model mandatory for all upcoming government-supported rehab centres, ensuring that staff are trained before each facility becomes operational.
As part of the practical component, trainees will get hands-on experience at three established centres: New Life De-addiction Centre for males, New Hope De-addiction Centre for females, and Kripa Rehabilitation Centre for boys.
The exposure will cover patient management, counselling, behavioural challenges, team coordination and day-to-day functioning of a rehab facility.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr S Syiem, founder of SAN-KER, along with project coordinators and counsellors from various centres who interacted with the new recruits and shared field insights.
Speaking at the programme, Kharshiing called it “an important milestone” toward operationalising the first government-supported rehabilitation centre in the Garo Hills.
“This is in line with the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s vision of setting up rehabilitation centres in every district of the State,” he said.
Project coordinators from New Hope and Kripa centres also addressed the trainees, stressing that technical competence must be matched with personal qualities.
“Alongside professional competence, qualities such as patience, empathy, compassion and tolerance are essential for rehabilitation staff,” they said, adding that staff must respond to people struggling with substance use “in a humane, dignified and professional manner.”
The DREAM director said capacity-building of personnel is central to strengthening the state’s continuum of care.
“Through systematic training, practical exposure and knowledge-sharing, we aim to ensure that government-supported rehabilitation centres are equipped not only with infrastructure, but also with skilled, compassionate and professionally prepared teams,” he stated.
The Sewa Inland Rehabilitation Centre at Tura is the first such government-supported facility to come up in the Garo Hills region.
