Budgam, Feb 21: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, S F Hamid on Tuesday stressed on imposing strict penalties against the drug peddlers in the district.
He was speaking during the 8th NCORD meeting of district Budgam, held under his chairmanship, during which he reviewed all the departments involved directly in curbing the spread of drug abuse in Budgam.
The DC directed Forest, Agriculture and other concerned departments to come up with a proposal for plantation of useful vegetation to replace the wild cannabis (Bhang) in the district. He directed the Excise and Taxation department to check the cultivation of poppy and cannabis before it is actually grown.
The sub divisional administrations were directed to coordinate with police and Assistant Drug Controller and make a committee at sub- division level to carry out joint poppy destruction Exercise by involving PRIs and other stakeholders.
DC directed the education, health, Social welfare and Information departments to conduct awareness programmes in all colleges, schools of the district.
He further directed the Health department for health check up of students in all Degree Colleges, Higher Secondaries and High Schools under the direct supervision of their respective heads.
Seeking strict enforcement of drug control rules, he asked Assistant Drug Controller Budgam to ensure mandatory maintaining of record of sale of psychotropic drugs by the medical stores.
He further directed principals of different colleges of Budgam to actively participate in curbing this social abuse. He also called for sensitisation of local Imams and religious heads through imparting training to them at District level for counselling the youth against effects of drug abuse.
The DC stressed upon the members to ensure effective implementation of the directions aimed at to curb the drug abuse in the district. He said, we all need to curb this menace with a heavy hand.
Earlier, SSP Budgam briefed about the measures Budgam Police has been taking for prevention of drug abuse like carrying out frequent awareness rallies and conducting awareness programmes, seminars in schools, colleges and during Thana Diwas at Police Stations throughout the district.
He informed that in the Control part, they are taking stringent legal action against those found indulging in drug peddling and in the Rehabilitation part they are conducting counseling and providing treatment to those who have become victims of drug abuse.
Lastly, the DC enjoined upon the officers to ensure zero tolerance towards drug abuse and stressed for better coordination among various departments and implementation of innovative ideas in controlling drug abuse.
Besides, SSP Tahir Geelani; ADDC Budgam, Dr. Akhramullah Tak; CEO, CMO, SDMs, DIO, Principals of colleges, ETO, Assistant drug controller, EOs of MCs were present in the meeting.
