Shillong, June 26, 2020: As part of the observation on International Day Against: Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority organised a Webinar on the 26th June 2020 on the theme: Better Knowledge for Better Care.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri. N. A. Khan, Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority spoke about NDPS Act, 1985 and the broad provision of the said Act. He stated that, the recent decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in Hira Singh Vs UOI, it has been clarified that neutral substance in the mixture of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substance shall be taken into consideration while determining punishment for an offence under NDPS Act, 1985.

​The Superintendent, East Khasi Hills District shared their records/report on NDPS cases for the year 2019 to 2020​. According to statistics, 52 cases have been registered in the year 2019 and 13 in the year 2020 and 87 persons were arrested.

Smti. I.K War, Assistant Director, Department of Social Welfare spoke about the policy on Drug Abuse. She informed that the Drug Policy came into force on the 25th June 2020. The policy highlights the need/important to constitute different committees at the State, District, Block, village level to curb and reduce drug demand, drug supply and harm reduction on the drug users. There are 21 departments involved in providing benefits and vocational to the drug users, she informed.

Dr. Rica Lamar, from Manbha Foundation, spoke on the challenges faced during the treatment of drug abusers. People using drugs have feelings of homelessness or fear of social exclusion. Therefore providing clinical and medical support is crucial for their survival. Dr. Lamar reiterated the need to increase staff, experts and one stop centres designed for drug users. It is also important to improve access to treatment especially in hard to reach areas. She also highlighted the challenges associated with providing support & challenges with infrastructure and also stigmatisation towards service providers by the community’s members.

Smti. Eudora Warjri from Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya spoke on Drug Use in Meghalaya –response and way forward. She said that the drug scenario in Meghalaya is depressing in terms of prevention and treatment efforts and the obvious rise in drug use. The age of drug users are getting younger from 13 to 14 years. Out of the 11 district there are only 3 districts with rehabilitation centres and Opioid Substitution therapy available only at Shillong, Khliehriat and Jowai, she informed.

Shri. Barry L. Kharmalki from the Drug Users Forum highlighted the importance of stopping criminalising, stigmatization and harassing of drug users. He expressed hope that through the webinar the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority would take things forward and persist in helping, assessing treatment and improving relationship between law enforcement etc.The Drug Users Forum has chosen another theme “Support, Don’t Punish” to better focus on the health issues rather than branding the drug users as criminals.

The Member Secretary in his concluding remark, said there is a need to protect the addicts from stigmatisation, as such, all the Stake holders need to be sensitised by holding awareness programmes on regular intervals. The Para Legal Volunteers and the Panel Lawyers, has greater role to play in dealing with the menace of drug abuse, he added. ( MIPR)