Asks for stepping up vigil against drug proliferation
KATHUA, AUGUST 30: Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rahul Pandey today chaired a meeting of the District Level Committee on the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) to discuss various measures to curb the drug abuse and narcotic trade in the district.The meeting was attended by SSP Kathua R.C Kotwal, DSWO, Assistant Drug Controller and other officers from civil administration. Besides ADC Billawar and Basohli, SDM Hiranagar attended the meeting virtually.At the outset, the DC informed the meeting that the District level committee has been mandated to effect better coordination among the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to keep a check on the illicit cultivation of poppy and cannabis, drug trafficking and related issues.During the meeting, threadbare discussion was held on various issues related to incidence of drug addiction, areas of concern and hotspots of drug use besides measures taken by law enforcement agencies to curb the menace.The SSP informed that exchange of intelligence/ information about trends of drug trafficking is being shared with enforcement agencies of neighbouring states, BSF and other stakeholders.The DC asked DEPO Kathua to launch a massive awareness campaign in high schools and higher secondary schools besides colleges of the district especially in drug prone areas to sensitize the younger population about drug menace. He stressed for stepping up vigil against drug proliferation, consumption and intensifying awareness against such addictive substances.The DC also asked for implementing alternative development programmes in areas affected by illicit cultivation of narcotic crops in the district.The meeting also discussed the role of social welfare, education, health, youth services and sports for drug demand reduction strategies, rehabilitation, de-addiction and mental health counselling etc.
