Shillong, Mar 1: Newly elected Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) chief Adrian L Chyne Mylliem on Tuesday asked the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government to take measures to address the problem of drug menace in the state.

“The drug issue is a big problem in our state and I feel the government could do more in terms of creating rehabilitation centres, creating awareness, free counseling because we should not perceive drug addiction as a criminal thing but rather a social disease,” Mylliem, who will also be contesting from Jirang constituency in 2023, told reporters.

Asked if there is lack of political will on the part of the state government to address this issue, the MPYC president however refused to comment and said, “…I can’t criticize the government for it but I do want to encourage the government to please do more in that aspect.”

He also urged the state government to take action to control the supply of drug into the state.

According to him, many youths have succumbed to addiction and due to this, there is also a rise in petty crimes, which drug users are resorting to sustain their habits.

Stating that the unemployment rate in Meghalaya is worrisome, Mylliem said, “They say an idle mind is a devil’s workshop and we can see that many youths currently who are unemployed end up getting involved in substance abuse such as drugs and alcohol.”

He said despite various government schemes to promote employment, there is lack of awareness and information about them being disseminated to the public.

The Congress youth leader further emphasized on the need for more institutes of higher studies in the state.

“(This is because) individuals who can contribute to our own state are leaving for greener pastures because of the unavailability of opportunities in the state,” he said.

“We are not here to criticize anyone, rather we just want to raise a few questions with regards to that because we are greatly concerned as to what’s happening in our state, the situation we are all in. If our youths are losing their lives to drug addiction, if they’re getting involved in petty crime, if they are leaving the state to pursue higher education for greener pastures, we feel all of these are very troublesome, we understand that there are few youths due to unemployment are unable to feed their families,” he said.

He said the Congress youths are really concerned for the welfare of the state and the future that awaits the state.

“(Therefore), we urge the youths of our state, to not take these matters lightly, we cannot talk about change and politics from the comfort of our own homes. Only actions can bring the necessary change, we implore the youths to come together with us (so that we can) bring about that change in the state,” he added.