Non-governmental organisations, involved in treating drug users, today lamented the fact that peddlers have again resurfaced in Jowai, headquarters of the district, and in other hotspots of Jaintia Hills.
A report from the state social welfare department in February last year had pointed out that the district has the highest number of drug users in Meghalaya.
According to the report on Magnitude of the Problems of Drug Abuse in Meghalaya, there were 5,398 drug users in Jaintia Hills from a total of 17,833 drug users in the state.
During Frederick Roy Kharkongor’s tenure as deputy commissioner, a task committee was formed in 2005 to crack down on drug peddlers in the district, particularly in Jowai.
The task committee on drugs, by a judicious mix of preventive and supportive strategies, involving police, magistracy for preventive aspects and by enlisting NGOs like Manbha Foundation, Chduh Dei Maya and the Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya for support strategies, brought about a perceptible decline in easy availability of drugs within Jowai town.
Although the committee continued to function during the tenure of Sanjay Goyal, Kharkongor’s immediate successor, it died a natural death after Goyal was transferred from the district.
“The committee had really aided in arresting peddlers. Besides, it was also responsible for making drug users come forward for treatment,” said Rica Lamar, Manbha Foundation director.
Lamar, however, added that some of the recovering drug addicts have relapsed. Drug peddlers have resurfaced in a much bigger way and drugs are available in a much easier way.
Project manager of the health association, N. Wanda Pakma, said there were approximately 1,000 drug users in Jowai at present and the rise was quite alarming. She attributed the rise to the presence of small-time peddlers.
“These peddlers purchase drugs from Shillong at the rate of Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,300, but sell it to users in Jowai at exorbitant rates,” Pakma said.
Asked about rehabilitation of drug addicts, Pakma said the health association, in charge of Jowai town only, conducted oral substitution therapy (OST) and needle syringe exchange programme (NSEP). “At present, 200 users have registered for OST and 400 for NSEP,” she said.
She also said three drug users, who registered for rehabilitation, have tested positive for HIV.
While admitting that many users from other places of the district like Lad Rymbai and Khliehriat have shown a willingness to be rehabilitated, Pakma said the hurdle before the health association was the non-availability of authorisation to extend the rehabilitation projects beyond Jowai.
The health association executive secretary Eudora Warjri said it was important to reach out to more users who were living outside Jowai town, especially in Lad Rymbai. She also said drug users and peddlers did not actually decline but were taking and selling drugs on the sly all along.
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