Shillong: The Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) convened a pivotal consultative meeting at U Soso Tham Auditorium in Meghalaya’s Shillong on Friday (August 1).
The meeting brought together representatives from various Seng Samla Shnongs and Rangbah Shnongs across Shillong and professional counsellors to deliberate on drug users apprehended by Seng Samla volunteers for providing counselling services and facilitating their admission into rehabilitation centres.
This marks a first-of-its-kind initiative in Meghalaya’s fight against drug abuse.
The meeting was attended by the SP, Shillong City; officers of the Directorate of Social Welfare department, including the Assistant Director of Social Defence along with the Social Welfare Officer, Anti-Drugs (SWO-AD). They provided valuable insights on the need for coordinated efforts between community groups and professional counsellors and outlined how the Government can support such interventions.
In-depth discussions were held on the challenges faced by community youth groups in handling drug-related incidents, with participants putting forward several constructive and innovative suggestions. These focused on safeguarding the well-being of Seng Samla volunteers and ensuring humane and effective handling of individuals in need of rehabilitation, while streamlining processes for their seamless admission into treatment facilities.
The meeting also delved into the aspect of providing counselling services to both users and families in the various Shnongs and localities.
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This consultative meeting forms part of a broader series of initiatives under DREAM’s community engagement strategy, aimed at fostering a unified societal response towards realising the vision of a drug-free Meghalaya.
