Shillong, Feb 24: Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla said that drug addicts should be given a chance in life and be accepted by society and attempt to bring them back to normal life even as he urged the public to give land for setting up de-addiction centers.

Speaking to reporters on releasing the music video on Drug Abuse on Wednesday, he said that they should be given a chance to come forward and share their stories, “They should be encouraged but for now they are scared to move forward”.

When pointed out that children as young as 12 years old are into substance abuse, Shylla said that age is no bar when it comes to drug addiction and it becomes hard to come out.

“We hope that the video will deliver a good message”, he said adding that society should accept drug addiction as a disease.

On the other hand, he said that the department needs a place for establishing de-addiction centers yet the department is not getting a place citing unacceptance by society.

“Society finds it hard to accept as they are scared of drug addicts. If people co-operate it will be a better place to take care of people”, he said.

Meanwhile, Andreas War producer of the music video said, “It is a short project and hope that the idea gets across”.