Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Wednesday visited the Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre at Neihbawi, established by the Government under PPP mode at the Synod Camping Centre. He was accompanied by Lalrinpuii, Minister for Social Welfare Department.
In his interaction with the staff and inmates, the Chief Minister said that drug abuse has created immense challenges in society, which necessitated the establishment of the Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre. Since the Government alone could not implement it, YMA, MHIP and the Synod were entrusted to manage it under PPP mode.
He stressed that those struggling with addiction are in urgent need of support. Those who can recover must be provided with proper guidance, counseling, and skill training opportunities to rebuild their lives. In this regard, the Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre has been carefully designed to address these needs in a holistic manner. The Centre provides a structured 20-day programme combining medical detoxification, psychological counseling, and spiritual renewal through camping organised by the Synod Revival Department. This is followed by three months of close monitoring under the Referral Task Group to ensure continued progress. For those who are able to remain free from addiction, the Centre further equips them with skill training in trades such as food processing, electrical works, and aluminium fabrication, enabling them to reintegrate into society with dignity and livelihood opportunities.
Addressing the inmates, he urged them to remain determined in their recovery journey, assuring them that they can overcome their struggles and become valuable citizens for their community and state. He added that the hardships they have faced are not unique, and should not be taken as excuses for wrongdoing, but as challenges to overcome with courage and resilience.
The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to the staff, reminding them that their work is a service of physical and spiritual healing and a safeguard for society, urging them to continue their mission with dedication.
The Hulhhliap Short Stay Centre was originally designed to accommodate 150 persons at a time. However, due to high demand, the first batch admitted 256 persons, the second batch 544, and the ongoing third batch 208 persons. Each batch runs for 20 days—10 days of detoxification, 5 days of psychological counseling, and 5 days of camping organized by the Synod Revival Department.
So far, 11 persons have completed training in Food Processing (with practical sessions), 28 are currently training as Electrical Technicians, and 18 in Aluminium Fabrication. These trainees will be awarded certificates by the Mizoram Council for Vocational Training.
For the establishment and running of the first three batches, the Government has allocated Rs. 108 lakhs. A study of the first two batches revealed that 74 per cent of participants are now free from addiction. The fourth batch is scheduled to begin this month.
