Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan today convened a meeting to review preventive measures and strategies to curb menace of drug addiction in Kashmir.Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, DIG Police, Director Health Services, Director School Education, Principal Govt. Medical College, Drug Controller, SSP Traffic, HOD Psychiatrist Hospital, SSP Drug De-addiction Centre PCR, Principal S.P. College, Principal S.P. Hr Secondary School, Deputy Director Planning, Representatives of Chamber of Commerce, Civil Society & NGOs and other officials were present in this meeting.During the meeting, various suggestions were put forth and discussed threadbare to control drug menace and to enhance drug de-addiction measures in the district.The Div Com said there is an urgent need to create public awareness using a multi-pronged approach to deal with the menace of drug addiction in Kashmir region.Mr. Khan asked the Department of Education to take a lead in curtailing the drug menace by organizing awareness campaigns in schools involving teaching staff. He asked the authorities to organize lectures on drug menace and its ill effects before morning assembly prayers which will go a long way in addressing the problem.
Div Com directed the police authorities to identify vulnerable areas and persons involved in this menace especially outside the schools and hospitals. He asked the police authorities to provide contact numbers to the people who can share the information secretly about the persons involved in this menace.Officials of Health Departments and Drug Controller were directed to intensify the surprise inspections and raids at all medical shops to keep a check on substance abuse. Violators should be dealt strictly according to the law and Drug Controller should submit the progress report weekly, he further said.The meeting also discussed capacity building programmes, which would be conducted in educational institutions and other places for raising awareness about ill effects of drug addiction.Div Com directed to involve Anganwardi, Asha Workers and NGOs to raise awareness among the masses about the ill effects of drug addiction. He also directed Director Health to create mass awareness in electronic and print media against the menace regularly.To stop drug trafficking, Khan directed traffic police to check trucks at Lower Munda and other vulnerable spots.