Substance abuse among children on rise in Meghalaya

Shillong (Meghalaya), Aug 13, 2018:

There is an alarming rise in drugs and substance abuse by children, some even below 12 years of age, in Meghalaya. This was stated by Meghalaya Drug Users’ Association president and Manbha Foundation counselor Neil Khongwir on the sidelines of a programme here on Sunday.

According to him, drugs are becoming more and more easily available and that today almost every locality of Shillong has got drugs peddlers, who don’t even spare the schools.

Khongwir further alleged that children, who cannot afford to pay the drug peddlers, are forced to peddle drugs in return.

“Thus, some of these child drug addicts become drug peddlers from as young as 12-13 years of age. And no one suspects them as they are young,” he explained.