Meghalaya High Court Directs State To Constitute Monitoring Committee To Tackle Drug & Substance Abuse, Rehabilitation Of Victims

The Meghalaya High Court recently asked the State Government to constitute Monitoring Committee to address the drug and substance abuse and rehabilitation of the victims in the State of Meghalaya.The division bench of the Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew further directed that the said Monitoring Committee shall be chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya and shall consist of one psychologist, a qualified counsellor and Senior Advocate S.P. Mahanta, amongst others.The bench was hearing a PIL raising the issue of the eradication of the drug menace in the State. The affidavit filed by the Joint Secretary and Director, Social Welfare Department, Meghalaya, revealed that there is a shortage of rehabilitation centres in rural areas and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been entered into with the Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission (DREAM). “It also appears from the report that one rehabilitation centre has been established at Laitkor with the assistance of DREAM and was inaugurated on 05.12.2025. DREAM has assured that they would undertake extensive community outreach in West Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills to engage with community leaders, faith leaders, NGOs and civil society organisations in both districts. A total of more than 2000 beneficiaries have been targeted under these initiatives and many more stand to benefit through the statewide survey, the newly supported rehabilitation centres and the NAVCHETNA training programme,” the Court observed.The Court further noted that in respect of other areas, the State should take immediate steps, apart from the robust campaign against drug abuse and drug menace to establish rehabilitation centres by identifying areas. The Court also stated the NGOs, the District Social Welfare officers and all the stakeholders may coordinate with the Secretaries of MSLSA and DLSAs for proper campaigning against the drug menace and drug abuse, and shall ensure wide public participation and awareness across Meghalaya, including the rural areas of the State.“Mass awareness and preventive activities along with preventive intervention at frequent intervals, can only reduce the present alarming situation in the State and it should be the endeavour of all to make comprehensive plans and actions to do away with drug and substance abuse,” the Court said. Therefore, the Court directed the State to constitute the above-mentioned Monitoring Committee. The Court further asked the Chief Secretary to constitute the Monitoring Committee to such other officers as may be necessary for the proper implementation of the various measures taken by the State government in this respect. Additionally, the Court directed the Border Security Force and the Customs authorities to file affidavits by February 23, 2026, with regard to the steps they have taken to prevent illicit trafficking of narcotics. The Court further granted leave to the applicant to add the Commissioner of Customs, Shillong and the Inspector General of BSF, Shillong as party respondents. “The Monitoring Committee to be constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya shall also file a report on the adjourned date,” the Court said. The matter is listed again on March 02, 2026. Case Title: Mewaker Lyngdoh v. Union of India Case No.: MC (PIL) No. 7/2025Click Here To Read/Download Order

Meghalaya High Court Directs State To Constitute Monitoring Committee To Tackle Drug & Substance Abuse, Rehabilitation Of Victims

Udit Singh

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