Drug misuse is a serious issue in Meghalaya, where an estimated 10% of the population, or over 3 lakh people, use drugs. The bulk of individuals impacted are young people between the ages of 15 and 29, with a prevalence rate of 30% among this demographic, according to Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh. The state administration is pushing for the creation of a special court to hear charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in response to the escalating crisis. The establishment of this specialized court is presently being discussed with the Meghalaya High Court.
The Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) is a dedicated police unit that the government has set up to address the growing drug problem. With 30 policemen under its command, the ANTF is committed to combating the drug misuse epidemic in the state and is headed by Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa. Significant drug seizures have been made by law enforcement in recent years, including cash, guns, and 42.758 kg of heroin, 13,521 kg of ganja, and opium. In the last five years, 653 drug-related instances have been reported, leading to 1,027 men and 134 women being arrested.
The ANTF is providing its officers with specific training, such as mock trials with well-known attorneys, to improve prosecution efforts. Additionally, the police station has the authority to freeze the assets and bank accounts of alleged drug dealers. The government is putting rehabilitation first in addition to bolstering law enforcement. Drug addicts are being assisted by detoxification and rehabilitation facilities because incarceration alone may be fatal due to withdrawal symptoms.
