Guv calls for united efforts against drug abuse in Meghalaya

Shillong: In a decisive move to bolster the national campaign against drug abuse, governor CH Vijayashankar convened a high-level meeting at Lok Bhavan on Monday. The gathering included vice chancellors, principals, and heads of leading higher education institutions, alongside senior officials from the police, social welfare, education, health and family welfare departments, as well as community leaders and civil society representatives.Governor Vijayashankar underscored the critical role of universities and colleges in shaping young minds and influencing attitudes, urging them to take effective and coordinated steps to promote awareness and prevention of drug abuse. “Higher educational institutions are pivotal in shaping young minds and influencing attitudes,” he stated.The governor called for a collaborative effort between academic institutions, traditional village leadership, civil society, and government agencies to shield youth and communities from the drug menace.

Institutions such as Captain Williamson Sangma State University, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), and others participated in the discussions.HC Chaudhary, principal secretary to the governor, emphasized the urgent need to curb drug and substance abuse, noting that educational institutions are not just centers of learning but spaces where aspirations and values are cultivated.Describing drug abuse as a “grave social challenge,” governor Vijayashankar reiterated that the meeting was part of a direct initiative by PM Narendra Modi to build a healthy, drug-free India.

He advocated for mass awareness campaigns, workshops in schools and colleges, and community-level monitoring mechanisms across districts, blocks, villages, and institutions.In a bid to encourage community involvement, the governor announced plans to recognize and honor villages that declare themselves ‘Nasha Mukt Villages’ with awards to be presented during Republic Day celebrations at Lok Bhawan.“The meeting reflected a shared resolve among government agencies, educational institutions, and civil society to work towards the vision of a Nasha Mukt Meghalaya and Nasha Mukt Bharat,” an official statement said. This initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched five years ago under the ministry of social justice and empowerment, which identifies higher educational institutions as key nodal units for prevention, awareness, and early intervention.