Shillong: Bollywood star John Abraham issued a sharp warning on Friday. He told reporters in Shillong that fighting the drug trade requires more than just public awareness. Officials must dismantle the powerful networks run by narcotics kingpins. Abraham participated in the Meghalaya government’s new anti-drug campaign, Pulse of the Hills: Every Beat Against Drugs.
He believes current efforts are insufficient. "You can address this issue from the top, actually. What we’re doing is firefighting right now. Till there is no political nexus and till there are no big men involved in this, you can never solve the problem," Abraham stated. He envisions a country entirely free from substance abuse.
The State Guest House event featured Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Social Welfare Adviser Paul Lyngdoh, and the Social Welfare department. Organizers launched the campaign through the Drug Reduction Elimination and Action Mission, or DREAM. This initiative aims to focus on youth engagement, community outreach, and long-term recovery.
Lyngdoh and Abraham discussed how sports keep youth off drugs. The actor pointed to the Northeast as a hotbed for football. He promised a NorthEast United FC football academy would open within two years. Meanwhile, Lyngdoh touted new state investments, including a football stadium currently under construction in Shillong.
The government also gifted a new vehicle to the Asha Bhavan Rehabilitation Centre in Tura. This van will assist with state-wide outreach. Social Welfare Director Saloni Verma highlighted the DREAM mission, which the government started back in 2022. The event showcased personal stories from recovery champions like Marvin B. Warjri and featured a performance by musician Kitkupar Nongsiej. Attendees closed the day by signing The Dream Wall of Commitment.
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