Shillong, May 12: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday directed the Home (Police) department and social welfare department to come up with the comprehensive action plans to address the issue of drug menace in the state within 10 days.

Held detailed discussions with Social Welfare Dept to come up with a comprehensive plan to deal with the issue of drug menace in the State. Have directed the officials to come up with measures within the next 10 days. #NashaMuktBharat pic.twitter.com/2R3kWyMzTo

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 12, 2022

“We have asked them (home and social welfare department) to come up with a more detailed plan and more detailed report on what actions that have been taken and what are the proposals that they want and what support they need to make the activities even more aggressive. I have asked to make the report and submit it to us by another 10 days’ time,” Sangma told reporters after chairing a meeting with the officials of the two departments.

The chief minister informed that the direction was given after he had visited many localities in the past two months.

“Wherever I go, the elders of the localities and the Rangbah Shnongs and other members have always mentioned to me about the menace of drugs and the concerns that they are having,” he said.

The CM also shared that the police is of the view that more machines, technologies and manpower is needed to be able to scan and stop the entry of drugs in different locations.

He further informed that he has sought to know the actions and programmes taken up by the social welfare department including the preventive and awareness aspects.

“We have asked them to now prepare a more detailed programme on how each department, each organization and each headman and each society can play a role in ensuring the awareness can be created on saying ‘No to Drugs’,” he said.

On the importance of the rehabilitation aspect of addressing drug abuse among the youth, Sangma said he has reviewed the matter and felt that there is need for more rehabilitation centres in areas which are seeing more impact of drugs.

“After ten days all these departments will come with more detailed reports so that we will be able to finalise on a proper plan of action,” he added.