Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar today chaired a high level meeting to review the functioning of Drug De-addiction and Rehabilitation Centres (DDRCs) across Jammu and Kashmir at Civil Secretariat here.Speaking during the meeting, Advisor Bhatnagar highlighted that the Jammu and Kashmir Police is contributing significantly in drug de-addiction by providing required medical treatment and counselling at its De-addiction Centres across J&K. He lauded the efforts of JKP in combating this social menace and said that JKP is realising its social responsibility by such initiatives for the physical and mental development of youth of entire J&K.Remarking that drug addiction has emerged as a serious public health concern in J&K, Advisor Bhatnagar said that drug addiction is crippling the mental and physical well being of the youth by affecting cognitive control and ability of the youth who are easily influenced by vested Interests to indulge in criminal activities. He remarked that it should be collective endeavour of teachers, parents, DDRCs and administration to overcome this social evil in our society for the betterment of our next generation.
Reiterating the governments commitment for welfare of youth, the Advisor delved upon the officers to organise special counselling sessions for those who are affected by drug abuse besides awareness programmes and IEC campaigns on ill effects of drug addiction should be organised across the UT. He further directed the officers that training programmes must be initiated for volunteers of field departments, police and other forces whose services will later be used to train people at various levels.While reviewing the facilities being provided at Drug De-addiction Centres, Advisor Bhatnagar directed the officers that all possible facilities on modern lines should be provided to affected persons for their timely recover. He further asked them that Individual/family counselling, follow-up management, Work rehabilitation, Psycho social intervention and Pre-discharge counselling for all recovered patients should be done for their better care at home.Highlighting about the need for strengthening the vigil and law enforcement, Advisor Bhatnagar directed the officers of Anti Narcotics Task Force to maximize surveillance and vigilance in those areas which are prone to drug trafficking and have shown increase in quantity of recovery of substance abuse.Among others, the meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Home department, Shaleen Kabra; Special DGP, Crime, J&K, Principal Secretary, Skill Development Department, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Excise Commissioner, J&K, Director Colleges J&K, representatives of Health and Medical Education Department and other concerned officers both in person and through video conferencing.