Shillong, March 28: Meghalaya Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh called on traditional institutions to step forward in combating drug addiction, emphasizing that it is a societal issue, not just a governmental one.
A two-day training program on addiction medicine was held at SANKER in Shillong, bringing together doctors from Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. The focus was clear: to heal, not punish, those trapped in the cycle of substance abuse.
Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh addressed the event and assured full support from the state government in combating drug addiction. He highlighted the DREAM project’s role in rehabilitating addicts and reintegrating them into society. However, he stressed that the government alone cannot win this battle.
“The stigma associated with addiction must be dismantled if real change is to take place,” the minister said.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Lyngdoh shared a poignant memory from 1997, when he witnessed a group of friends struggling with addiction perform the song Try a Little Kindness. “That moment, still fresh in my mind, reinforced my belief that addiction must be tackled with understanding, not judgment,” he said.
He acknowledged the complexity of the drug problem, noting that while addicts often create insecurity in their communities, fear-driven responses are not the solution. Drawing a parallel to the COVID-19 pandemic, he criticized society’s tendency to stigmatize rather than support. He cited the case of Dr. Sailo, a dedicated public health professional who was denied a proper burial during the pandemic. “Is this how we treat our caregivers?” he asked, urging a shift in societal attitudes.
Lyngdoh also encouraged finding positive alternatives for those battling addiction. He suggested nurturing talents in music or other creative fields, expressing confidence that, with the right support, addicts could lead fulfilling lives.
Dr. Sandy Syiem, head of SANKER, made a passionate appeal for a change in perception within society and the medical community. He emphasized that addiction is a mental illness, as recognized internationally, yet it remains misunderstood.
Dr. Syiem also reflected on the global War on Drugs, declared in 1971, which relied on brute force and led to widespread human rights violations. “It took over fifty years for the world to realize that addiction is not a moral failing but a medical condition requiring compassion and treatment,” he said. He urged that substance abuse be addressed on humanitarian grounds.
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