Shopian, Jul 24: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shopian, Shishir Gupta on Thursday chaired the District Level Narco Coordination (NCORD) committee meeting here.
On the occasion, the DC assessed department-wise action taken reports with a focus on creating deterrence against drug and substance abuse.
Departments including Revenue, Police, Drug Controller, Panchayats, Health, Social Welfare and others submitted monthly progress and line of activities against the ongoing fight against drugs. It was apprised that strict enforcement is being done against the illicit crop cultivation, and crops grown on 27 kanal of land have been destroyed till date in the month of July.
Directions were issued to strengthen the fight against drug abuse by involving local communities in hotspot areas for the destruction of wild bhung.
The DC emphasised the importance of keeping strict vigil on educational institutions across the district vis-a-vis COTPA enforcement.
For enhancing counselling and awareness among the public, a new phase of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities shall be rolled out panchayat-wise wise across the district to raise awareness about drug abuse, he added.
SSP Shopian, Anayat Ali, on the occasion, highlighted certain cogent measures being taken by the police authorities to tackle and deter the drug peddling.
Various other issues, including continuous inspections of pharmacies including VET clinics, Drug Free Panchayats, intensifying Bhung and Illicit crop cultivation destruction drives, enforcement of COTPA, functioning of Addiction Treatment Facility, role of local communities and public, were discussed and a future action plan was devised.
ADC, Dr Zakir Hussain Faaz; Principal GDC Shopian, Prof (Dr), Shafiq Ahmad, along with ACR, ACP, Tehsildars, concerned district officers and other officials attended the meeting.
