Shillong, July 18: The Drug Reduction, Elimination and Action Mission today launched its first Induction Training Programme for staff of the newly opened government-supported Sewa Inland Rehabilitation Centre in Tura, West Garo Hills.
The three-day training, from July 18 to 20, is being conducted with San-Ker, Centre for Mental Health and Neurology, Shillong. It brings together doctors, counsellors and support staff recruited for the centre.
Mission Director Francis G. Kharshiing said the programme combines theoretical orientation with hands-on learning to build skills in clinical care, operations and psychosocial support needed to run a rehabilitation facility effectively and with dignity.
In a key decision, DREAM announced that this structured induction model will be adopted for all new government-supported rehabilitation centres across Meghalaya. The goal is to ensure trained and prepared personnel are in place before each centre becomes operational.
As part of the practical component, trainees will get exposure at three established centres: New Life De-addiction Centre for men, New Hope De-addiction Centre for women, and Kripa Rehabilitation Centre for boys. The visits will cover patient management, counselling, behavioural challenges and day-to-day functioning.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr. S. Syiem, founder of SAN-KER, along with project coordinators and counsellors from various centres who interacted with the new recruits.
Project coordinators from New Hope and Kripa stressed that along with professional competence, qualities like patience, empathy, compassion and tolerance are essential for rehabilitation work.
Kharshiing described the launch as an important milestone for Garo Hills and said it aligns with the Chief Minister’s vision of setting up rehabilitation centres in every district.
DREAM said capacity-building of personnel is central to strengthening the state’s continuum of care, ensuring government-supported centres have skilled and compassionate teams to support recovery and reintegration.
