Shillong, Dec 2: Keeping in view the increased cases of drug addicts needing care and support, the state government has decided to set up 15 rehabilitation centres by 2025.
These centres will add to the current strength of nine rehabilitations centres supported – fully or partially – by the government and run by churches and other private institutions.
“We will be increasing the number of rehabilitation centres. We are working on the proposals to have at least 15 more centres by 2025,” said social welfare minister Paul Lyngdoh on Monday.
Expressing concern over the challenges faced by private institutions in running the centres, he said, “It’s not that we have left them to tackle the issue on their own. We are funding nine centres owned and run by private institutions.”
Meanwhile, giving an update on the investigation into recent death of two youth in rehabilitation centres in Assam, the minister said a communication in this regard had been sent by deputy commissioner East Khasi Hills to its counterpart in Assam.”
Rickelson Jyrwa from Golf Link and Meban Syndor from Mawlai Mawtawar were undergoing treatment at Better Living Wellness Foundation at Mangaldai and Alive Again Foundation in Hatisila, Chandrapur where they died under alleged mysterious circumstances.
According to Meghalaya Users Forum (MUF), which cried foul over the death of the two youths, both rehabilitation centres are owned by one Arup Jerial Passah.
Paul Lyngdoh also said he would review the matter personally within next couple of hours.
