Aizawl: In a significant institutional intervention aimed at strengthening Mizoram’s response to substance abuse, the state government has formally transferred the management of the Jordan Center, one of its largest rehabilitation facilities to the Mizoram Presbyterian Church.
The partnership was formalised on Wednesday through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at the office of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development (SW&WCD) Minister Lalrinpuii. The agreement was signed by SW&WCD Secretary Lalzarmawii and Rev. John Raldosanga, Moderator of the Mizoram Synod, marking a collaboration between the state and one of the most influential socio-religious institutions in Mizoram.
At the core of the agreement is a 15-year roadmap to transform the Jordan Center, located at Sethawn in Kolasib district near the Assam border, into a comprehensive hub for addiction recovery and rehabilitation. Under the terms of the MoA, the Mizoram Synod will assume full operational control of the facility for the duration of the agreement.
The state government has committed an annual grant-in-aid of Rs 50 lakh, with a provision for a 5 per cent increase every two years to offset inflation and support programme expansion. The arrangement reflects a model of welfare delivery that leverages the Church’s extensive grassroots reach and social influence in addressing a growing public health challenge.
The facility is envisaged as a specialised de-addiction and aftercare centre, offering structured rehabilitation, counselling, and reintegration support for individuals struggling with substance dependency. Officials indicated that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to tackle the rising incidence of drug and alcohol abuse in the state, particularly among younger populations.
The collaboration underscores a policy shift towards community-anchored interventions, with the Church expected to play a central role not only in service delivery but also in shaping long-term behavioural and social outcomes.