Involving religious institutions in the fight against the drug menace is very crucial in the government’s effort to nip this problem in the bud, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh said on Thursday.
After chairing a meeting with the leaders of the Shillong All Faith Forum (SAFF) in his office chamber, Lyngdoh said, “It (the ills of drugs) has to be spoken about within the four walls of the churches, mandirs, and masjids. The congregations will have to be told that we are sitting on top of a volcano and our children’s future is under threat.”
He said the meeting was a follow up of the last interactive session he had with all stakeholders including faith leaders.
Lyngdoh added that the various religious institutions wanted to actively support the efforts of the government of Meghalaya to contain, control and sensitize people especially the young about the pitfalls and the dangers that awaited them if they are involved in drug menace in any form.
Stating that the religious institutions have decided to come up with a calendar of activities starting from December 5, the minister said, “Just to kickstart the effort, we have proposed to have a day long seminar and awareness programme (on December 5) involving students of class X up to class XII on the drug scene and menace of drug trafficking in the state. There will be ressources from departments like social welfare, home police and also from religious heads.”
“After that we will sustain these interaction by having this calendar of activities where we will not only confine ourselves to Shillong but also to cover other areas where specially the menace of drugs has reached those areas,” he said while adding “I am thankful to the religious heads for having shown very keen interest and also deep concern regarding the drug scene in the state because we need their sustained support, government by itself will not be able to successfully contain this menace on its own without the active support of civil societies and faith leaders.”
The minister said all major religious groups have come together under a forum which comprises 26 eminent personalities.
“We have also authorized one of the members, the secretary of the forum Fr Robert Majaw to coordinate with the department of social welfare and then they will reach out to the various schools who will then send their children to participate in this initial awareness programme on December 5,” he said.
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