SHILLONG, JUNE 26: There is an increasing trend in drugs abuse related crimes because of increase drug users in the state and this needs an efforts and the cooperation from several quarters to the increase inflow of narcotic substances into the region.
East Khasi hills district Superintendent of Police (city) Vivek Syiem said that the consequences from the increasing number of drug users and drug supply directly impact the increase in crime rate. He informed that out of 1000 cases registered, 50 per cent of cases are drug-related such as crime against property, snatching, thefts, pick pocket, demand extortion, threatening and even rape cases.
Syiem made this revelation during his participation at the Advocacy Meeting with Community Stake Holders on “Harm Reduction” organized by the Meghalaya Aids Control Society (MACS) and Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya (VHAM) as part of the International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking in the city on Thursday.
Syiem said many localities in the city are facing huge problems due to increase number of drugs addicts adding “Such drugs addicts are indulging in anti-social activities like thefts and extortion is to sustain their habits.” He also informed that there is also an increase in the inflow of narcotics to the region and police seize drugs from few localities but now the supply of drugs has spread to different places.
Pointing that drugs are coming in from Burma and Nagaland border into the state, Syiem said, “Demand and supply reduction of such narcotics is the need of the hour which will help in tackling and addressing the problem.”
Syiem informed that another reason that led to the increase in drugs users is because peddling of drugs is consider to be one of the most profitable business even though the state has the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NPDS) act in place to be used against such peddlers but lamented that the moment they are released the peddlers resume their illegal business.
Syiem urged the community including ngos to be vigilant and help the police in identifying such suppliers in their area.
VHAM executive secretary Eudora Warjri said the trend of drug users among female is also a matter of serious concern. She said, “To sustain their habit, such female drug users can also go to the extent of indulging in flesh trade which makes the problem even more complex from the health point of view.”
The meeting also sought the support of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in helping the ngos to implement different projects and reaching out to the people to tackle and address the issue. The KSU leaders, who also attended the meeting, expressed their willingness to extent their support to the ngos.- By Our Reporter
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