The inauguration of the Sewa Inland–DREAM Rehabilitation Centre at Ballongre-Gambagre, Tura, West Garo Hills, marks an important step towards strengthening rehabilitation and recovery services in Garo Hills. As the first government-supported rehabilitation centre in the region, the facility complements the existing Detoxification Centre at Tura Civil Hospital, further expanding access to essential care and support for individuals seeking recovery from substance use.
With the inauguration of the Sewa Inland–DREAM Rehabilitation Centre, Meghalaya now has 15 rehabilitation centres, up from nine before the launch of the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM). Of these, 10 centres receive support from the Government of Meghalaya, including the newly inaugurated facility. These government-supported centres provide free treatment to eligible individuals from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, helping reduce financial barriers and making rehabilitation services more accessible to those who need them.
A key feature of the Sewa Inland–DREAM Rehabilitation Centre is the conversion of an existing Government Tribal Girls’ Hostel into a rehabilitation facility. This initiative demonstrates how available government infrastructure can be repurposed to expand essential healthcare and rehabilitation services. In a state where land acquisition can pose significant challenges, making effective use of existing public assets offers a practical approach to strengthening service delivery and expanding access to care.
The establishment of the centre also underscores the importance of community participation and government–community partnerships in addressing substance use-related challenges. The collaboration and support of community and faith-based organisations, including Sewa Inland, have played an important role in bringing this initiative to fruition.
Addressing substance use requires a collective effort that extends beyond government intervention. Families, communities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders all have an important role to play in supporting recovery and promoting social reintegration. Strengthening such partnerships and encouraging similar initiatives across Meghalaya will be crucial to expanding rehabilitation services, reducing barriers to treatment and building a more supportive environment for individuals and families affected by substance use.