Govt spends Rs 9 Cr for treatment of drug users in last 13 years: RTI

Over Rs 9.28 crore has been spent by the Meghalaya government for treating drug addicts during the past 13 years.

This was as per reply of the social welfare department to information sought by activist Disparsing Rani under the Right to Information Act (RTI), 2005.

Addressing pressmen, Rani said the department had informed that the total expenditure for treatment of drug addict patients in Meghalaya from 2010 – 2023 is at Rs 9.28 crore.

Of this, the government had spent Rs 30,07,815 in 2010, Rs 34,05,817 in 2011, Rs 38,61,060 in 2012, Rs 40,76,240 in 2013, Rs 53,80,721 in 2014, Rs 39,43,,617 in 2015, Rs 35,42,816 in 2016, Rs 36,37,821 in 2017, Rs 30,17,307 in 2018, Rs 72,71,227 in 2019, Rs 84,73,371 in 2020, Rs 1,48,57,688 in 2021, Rs 1,94,69,467 in 2022 and Rs 89,45,589 in 2023.

He said the report also informed that there were only 3,216 male drug users and 32 female drug users in Shillong, East Khasi Hills District.

To a query, the RTI activist said that the department did not give any specific information in regards to how the money was spent to treat drug users in the state.