NCORD, COTPA meeting held in Bandipora

Bandipora, July 4: On the directions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, a meeting of the District-Level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) Committee and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) was convened on Friday in Bandipora to review and strengthen ongoing measures against drug abuse in the district.A statement issued here said that the meeting chaired by Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Shabir Ahmad Wani discussed in detail ways and means to curb the drug menace and the role of various stakeholders. It also discussed the alarming issue of drug addiction and abuse and strategies to tackle this issue. The meeting discussed various issues related to menace of drug addiction, areas of concern, age group of addicts, hot spots of drug peddling, abuse, besides, cultivation of illicit poppy and cannabis in the district. On the occasion, emphasis was laid on conducting more intensive awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of drug abuse, improving access to addiction treatment and support services and strengthening the regulation of pharmaceutical shops to prevent the illegal distribution of banned drugs.DySP DAR Bandipora, Ahmad Shafi on the occasion, informed that police arrested many culprits and were booked under the relevant acts. He added that police administration, with the help of district administration, has adopted ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards drug abuse. Among others, the meeting was attended by the ACD Bandipora, ARTO Bandipora, officials from the Social Welfare Department, the Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centre, the Excise Department, and other concerned officers.