Shillong, August 4: In the hall of U Soso Tham Auditorium last Thursday evening, there were no political speeches, no grand declarations — just a room full of people united by a common goal: to save lives.
Among them was 25-year-old Ricky Kharsyntiew, a Seng Samla volunteer from Nongmensong, who stood and quietly shared a moment that changed him. “We found a boy, just 16, curled up near the market. He had been using. We didn’t want to hand him over to the police. We didn’t want him punished — we wanted him helped. But we didn’t know where to begin.”
His voice, slightly shaky but steady with conviction, echoed the heart of the consultative meeting organised by the Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission (DREAM) on August 1 — that a drug-free Meghalaya can only be achieved when communities, professionals, and the government work hand in hand.
This unique gathering brought together an unexpected but deeply connected coalition: youth leaders (Seng Samla), traditional heads (Rangbah Shnongs), professional counsellors, and key government officials. For many, it was the first time they had shared the same space — and the same urgency.
The event marked a quiet yet powerful shift in Meghalaya’s approach to drug abuse: from punishment to healing, from isolation to inclusion, and from silence to solidarity.
“We are not the enemy. We are their brothers.”
That was the resounding message from Seng Samla members, who spoke of their evolving role as frontline responders in their communities. Often, they are the first to encounter young people caught in the grip of addiction — and often, they feel unequipped.
“We’ve had to carry unconscious boys from drainpipes, break into abandoned homes where users hide, even face angry mobs,” shared another volunteer. “But we don’t want to shame them. We just want them to have a second chance.”
Their courage, compassion, and commitment struck a chord with officials in attendance, including the Superintendent of Police (Shillong City), the Assistant Director of Social Defence, and the Social Welfare Officer (Anti-Drugs).
“There needs to be a structured, humane, and community-rooted response to drug use,” said one official. “These volunteers are not law enforcers. They are caregivers. Our system must reflect that.”
From that understanding, several key ideas began to take shape: the need for mobile counselling units, safe spaces within localities, specialised training for community volunteers, and streamlined pathways for rehabilitation referrals. Most importantly, all participants agreed on involving families in the counselling process — recognising addiction as not just an individual struggle, but a community concern.
One of the most moving moments of the evening came from a young counsellor who shared the story of a recovered addict now working as a volunteer. “He told me, ‘If only someone had talked to me earlier, I would have never gone down that road.’ That is the power this room holds,” she said.
The gathering was more than just a meeting — it was a declaration that the fight against drug abuse belongs not to institutions alone, but to everyone.
What DREAM has begun is no longer just a government-led programme. It is a people’s movement, where compassion replaces condemnation, and where action begins in the lanes and localities of Meghalaya’s neighbourhoods.
This consultative meeting is just one step in DREAM’s broader strategy of community engagement. But for those who were present, it already felt like a turning point.
“Today, we didn’t talk about drug users as statistics. We talked about them as sons, brothers, neighbours — people we know,” said one Rangbah Shnong. “And that changes everything.”
For Ricky and countless others like him, the fight against drug abuse isn’t just about awareness campaigns or arrests. It’s about building a culture where help — not judgment — is the first response. And in that mission, they now know they are not alone.
Also Read: Ajaraie Hat-Trick powers NorthEast United FC to winning Start in Durand Cup title defence
Also Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
