Pulwama, May 11: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama Dr Basharat Qayoom on Thursday said that collective efforts are needed to curb the drug menace.
“All stakeholders shall have to work in tandem to enhance the rehabilitation of persons involved in drug abuse,” the DC said while chairing the 8th meeting of the District Level Committee of Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) here.
The DC discussed various issues related to the menace of drug addiction, areas of concern, age group of addicts, hot spots of drug peddling and abuse, besides, cultivation of illicit poppy and cannabis in the district. He emphasised on conducting awareness camps in schools and colleges on a mass scale to sensitise the youth about the hazards and ill effects of consuming drugs.
The Education Department was asked to promote anti-drug abuse awareness in all educational institutions and its ill effects on society. The DC directed the Chief Education Officer (CEO) to ensure that no tobacco product is sold near educational institutions as per rules and added that special teams shall be constituted for vigilance around institutions.
Dr Basharat directed all the concerned officers to immediately complete the mapping of land used for bhang and poppy cultivation and submission of action taken in the destruction of poppy and Cannabis. He directed the CAO and CHO to explore avenues for growing alternative crops in these areas besides providing valuable inputs to land owners. He asked officers of all line departments to make coordinated efforts to contain the drug peddling and break the supply chain besides taking stringent action against the persons involved in this dangerous trade.
In order to combat this rising societal problem, multi-pronged rehabilitation, counseling and guidance policy is being implemented on the ground to monitor drug abuse and take remedial measures to curb the menace, he said.
The DC sought cooperation from the elected representatives, religious heads and families particularly parents to overcome the menace among the youth, which also leads to other social evils and crimes.
Dr Basharat assured the departments that all requisite support will be provided by the district administration for saving youth from the ill effects of the drugs.
The DC directed the Assistant Drug Controller Pulwama and CMO Pulwama to get CCTV cameras installed at all medical shops, clinical establishments and chemist/ druggist shops for overall surveillance with regard to the containment of drug sales is enforced.
The Police Department was asked to keep strict vigil against drug proliferation, consumption and to break the chain of drug peddling and consumption and to intensify awareness against such addictive substances involving concerned stakeholders from civil administration.
