DREAM for a drug-free Meghalaya: Recovery champions take the stage

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 27, 2025

The state-level observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was held on Thursday at the State Convention Centre, Shillong, under the theme “Breaking the Chains: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery for All.” The programme was organised by the Social Welfare Department in collaboration with Meghalaya Police, Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, and the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM).

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who graced the occasion as Chief Guest, outlined a bold, people-centered roadmap to tackle drug abuse in Meghalaya. Stressing that the issue goes beyond law enforcement, he said, “This is a public health, social and developmental challenge. DREAM is our mission to fight it together — as a state, as a people.”

Over the past three years, the Meghalaya Police has seized narcotics worth over Rs 1,000 crore, registered 1,031 drug cases, and filed chargesheets in more than 422. The state is also ramping up its capabilities through specialised units like the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), drug scanners, and trained canine squads.

DREAM, the government’s flagship initiative, is a Rs 50-crore multi-sectoral mission designed to address both the supply and demand sides of substance abuse. It focuses on strengthening rehabilitation centres, especially those run by faith-based and community-led organisations, and aims to build resilience through awareness, education, and grassroots partnerships.

The government also signed an MoU with the Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM), a national NGO, to create toolkits and training modules for schools, teachers, communities, and NGOs.

A highlight of the event was the emotional testimony of Isaac Surong, a young recovery champion who shared his journey from addiction to healing. His story of overcoming heroin addiction drew a heartfelt response from the audience, with the Chief Minister calling it “a story of hope, courage and the human spirit.”

Over 20 Recovery Champions from across the state were honoured during the event for their resilience and their role in mentoring others. Community-based organisations such as Life Care Foundation, Ka Lympung Ki Seng Kynthei, U-Matters Cooperative Society, and others were also recognised for their contributions to prevention and rehabilitation.

Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, speaking as Guest of Honour, lauded the multi-pronged efforts under DREAM and called for every community to become a centre of vigilance and compassion. “This fight is not ‘us versus them’, it is ‘all of us versus drugs’,” he said.

Expert talks, musical performances, interactive sessions with youth, and award felicitation for winners of sports and awareness campaigns added colour and impact to the programme — a clear message that Meghalaya’s fight against drugs is as much about healing as it is about enforcement.