Meghalaya: "Need treatment, not punishment for drug users"

Guwahati: The Meghalaya Users' Forum (MUF) argues against criminalizing drug users, emphasizing the need for treatment and rehabilitation.

MUF general secretary, Barry Leslie Kharmalki, criticized the approach of treating addiction with force.

He highlighted the complexity of the issue and the negative impact on families when addicts are demonized.

Kharmalki pointed out positive stories of reformed addicts and questioned the effectiveness of aggressive tactics used against drug users in Polo. He proposed treating addiction as a disease, advocating for love and support over punishment.

The MUF also expressed concerns about the recent surge in rehabilitation centres following the government's DREAM project.

They questioned the lack of regulations for these centres and the effectiveness of treatment provided, particularly when some centres send patients outside the state.