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Meghalaya DREAM Mission

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Meghalaya CM Calls for Collective Action Against Drug Abuse; Reaffirms Commitment to DREAM Mission

Context

On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26 June), Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma reiterated the State Government’s commitment to eliminating drug abuse through the DREAM Mission. He emphasized that the fight against drugs requires a whole-of-society approach, involving government departments, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, civil society, and local communities.

DREAM Mission

DREAM stands for:

Drug Reduction, Elimination And Management

The mission is Meghalaya’s flagship anti-drug programme aimed at preventing substance abuse, ensuring treatment and rehabilitation, and strengthening law enforcement through coordinated action. It adopts a three-pronged strategy:

  1. Prevention
    • Awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and communities.
    • Behavioural change communication.
    • Youth engagement through sports, arts, and life-skill programmes.
  2. Treatment & Rehabilitation
    • Expansion of de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.
    • Counselling services and community-based rehabilitation.
    • Reintegration of recovering individuals into society.
  3. Regulation & Enforcement
    • Strengthening policing and intelligence.
    • Crackdown on drug trafficking networks.
    • Better inter-departmental coordination and border vigilance.

The Government has also promoted community participation, encouraging village authorities, churches, NGOs, youth groups, and families to play an active role in preventing drug abuse.

Objectives of the DREAM Mission

  • Build a Drug-Free Meghalaya.
  • Prevent drug use, especially among youth.
  • Improve access to treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Reduce the stigma associated with addiction.
  • Strengthen coordination among government departments.
  • Promote community ownership in combating substance abuse.

Key Features

  • Multi-sectoral and whole-of-government approach.
  • Evidence-based interventions.
  • Public awareness campaigns.
  • School and college outreach programmes.
  • Community vigilance and stakeholder partnerships.
  • Expansion of rehabilitation infrastructure.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of anti-drug initiatives.

Significance

  • Protects Meghalaya’s demographic dividend by safeguarding youth.
  • Addresses the growing challenge of narcotics in the Northeast.
  • Encourages social inclusion by treating addiction as a public health issue.
  • Strengthens coordination between law enforcement and welfare agencies.
  • Supports the vision of a healthier and safer Meghalaya.

International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

  • Observed: 26 June every year.
  • Established by: United Nations General Assembly in 1987.
  • Objective: To strengthen international action and cooperation for achieving a world free from drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Previous Government Initiative (2023)

Before the launch of the DREAM Mission, the Meghalaya Government announced a comprehensive anti-drug strategy focusing on:

  • Prevention through awareness.
  • Capacity building of stakeholders.
  • Expansion of rehabilitation services.
  • Strong enforcement against traffickers.
  • Community-based interventions.
  • Convergence of multiple government departments for coordinated implementation.

Practice Questions

1. The acronym DREAM in Meghalaya’s anti-drug initiative stands for:

A. Drug Recovery, Education and Monitoring
B. Drug Reduction, Elimination and Management
C. Drug Rehabilitation and Enforcement Mission
D. Drug Response and Emergency Management

Answer: B

2. Meghalaya’s DREAM Mission primarily focuses on:

A. Drug production regulation only

B. Prevention, Treatment/Rehabilitation, and Regulation

C. Border fencing only

D. Pharmaceutical research

Answer: B

3. The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed every year on:

A. 31 May

B. 26 June

C. 1 December

D. 10 October

Answer: B

4. Which of the following is NOT a major objective of Meghalaya’s DREAM Mission?

A. Preventing substance abuse

B. Rehabilitation of drug users

C. Promotion of narcotics cultivation

D. Community participation against drugs

Answer: C

5. Which organization declared 26 June as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking?

A. World Health Organization

B. United Nations General Assembly

C. UNESCO

D. UNICEF

Answer: B

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