Shillong, Mar 21: A detailed survey on drug users in Meghalaya will be conducted as part of the state government’s Drug Reduction Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) in association with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Underlining the need for such a survey, DREAM mission director Francis Kharshiing pointed out that there is no proper data on the number of drug users in the state.
“We are partnering with UNODC to conduct a detailed survey of drug users in the state,” he said after a meeting with youth organisations of different localities in Shillong on the issue.
With the support of UNODC, the survey is expected to begin in a few months, he said.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have come up with constructive suggestions, including need to have vocational training demonstrations in the different localities.
The Dorbar Shnongs and Seng Samlas have been urged to hold discussions in their localities before organising a programme for students and youth for providing skill training as part of the anti-drug campaign.
“Vocational training providers such as ITIs, Ram Krishna Mission, Don Bosco Technical School, etc., are ready to partner with us to provide trainings free of cost,” Kharshiing said.
