Faith leaders from Shillong came together, not for theological discourse or religious deliberation, but to address a growing crisis gripping their communities—the alarming rise of substance abuse among the state’s youth. In a gathering that marked a pivotal moment in Meghalaya’s battle against drug addiction, spiritual leaders and policymakers stood side by side, not as separate voices, but as unified allies, determined to forge a path toward prevention, rehabilitation, and lasting change.
This high-impact engagement, held on February 20, 2025, saw faith leaders join hands with the Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare, Shri Paul Lyngdoh, and key government officials to craft a collective response to the deepening drug menace. Discussions were led by Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, and Shri F.G. Kharshing, Mission Director of the DREAM Initiative, focusing on the critical role of faith-based institutions in de-addiction and rehabilitation efforts.
Faith Leaders Raise Their Voices
One by one, religious leaders from across Meghalaya stood up to share their experiences and concerns. Reverend Kharkongor of the Shillong All Faith Forum spoke of the moral responsibility faith leaders feel towards those struggling with addiction. “We may not be professionals,” he said, “but we are committed to building a society free from substance abuse.”
From the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mr. Wahlang highlighted the need for stronger counseling programs and preventive measures, while Mr. Noor Nongrum of the Shillong Muslim Union urged the government to ensure follow-ups on past discussions so that solutions do not remain only on paper. Mr. Jasbir Singh, representing the Sikh community, issued a stark warning, drawing parallels to Punjab’s devastating experience with drug addiction and cautioning that Meghalaya could be heading down a similar path if immediate action was not taken.
The concerns were echoed by Mr. P.D. Nongrum of the Seng Khasi community, who described the drug crisis as a direct threat to families and society. He stressed two key approaches—raising awareness to prevent youth from falling into addiction while also showing compassion to those already struggling with substance abuse. But his call to action went beyond community-driven efforts. “Faith institutions can play a vital role in prevention,” he noted, “but law enforcement agencies must take a stronger stance on drug-related crimes.”
Government’s Commitment to Action
The discussions culminated in a response from Shri Paul Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare, who acknowledged the growing crisis and reaffirmed the government’s concrete steps to strengthen Meghalaya’s fight against drug abuse. He announced the establishment of a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF)—a specialized 40-member unit focusing exclusively on drug-related crimes. Unlike previous years, where the ANTF had to juggle multiple law enforcement duties, this unit would now work full-time to dismantle drug networks, track suppliers, and prevent substance circulation.
Another critical move was the revival of Village Defence Parties (VDPs)—community-driven security groups responsible for monitoring illegal activities in local areas. Recognizing that Shillong had only 11 active VDPs, the government had increased financial incentives for volunteers from ₹800 to ₹3,000 per month while providing them with uniforms, torches, and necessary resources to aid their patrol efforts.
Beyond enforcement, the government sees faith-based institutions as key allies in the rehabilitation and awareness process. Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, highlighted the government’s vision for integrating faith leaders into Meghalaya’s broader anti-drug strategy, stating that a draft framework had been developed to define their roles in counseling, awareness programs, and support networks for recovering addicts.
To facilitate this, an initial corpus fund of ₹50 lakh had been earmarked to support various initiatives led by faith institutions. The funding will go towards developing communication materials, hosting workshops, training faith leaders, and strengthening community outreach efforts.
“We will provide both financial and technical support for faith-based organizations to lead this movement,” Shri Sampath Kumar assured. “Under the DREAM Initiative, the Social Welfare Department, Home & Political Department, and law enforcement agencies are working together to ensure a cohesive and powerful response to this crisis.”
Breaking the Stigma Around Addiction
While much of the discussion revolved around enforcement and awareness, one important point was raised by Shri F.G. Kharshing, Mission Director of DREAM—the urgent need to break the stigma surrounding addiction.
He shared the story of a family in Shillong who sent their son to Bangalore for rehabilitation but told relatives he had gone for further studies. This fear of judgment, he explained, often leads families to hide addiction rather than seek help. “Addiction is a disease, not a disgrace,” he stated. “If we continue to treat it as a moral failing rather than a medical condition, we will never be able to help those who need it the most.”
As the meeting drew to a close, one thing became clear—no single institution, no single government department, and no single community can tackle Meghalaya’s drug crisis alone. It will require a unified effort, where faith leaders, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and families work together not just to punish, but to prevent, heal, and rehabilitate.
The engagement saw participation from Shri Paul Lyngdoh, Minister of Social Welfare, Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, Shri F.G. Kharshing, Mission Director of DREAM, and representatives from Shillong All Faith Forum, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Sikh community, the Seng Khasi community, and other religious groups.
This was more than just a meeting. It was a call to action. A recognition that the battle against substance abuse is not just a government issue but a societal issue—one that demands compassion, vigilance, and unwavering commitment from every sector.
The fight for a drug-free Meghalaya has begun. And it is a fight that will be won—not in courts, not in police stations, but in families, in places of worship, in schools, and in communities where the future of Meghalaya is being shaped, one decision at a time.