The Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya today chaired a meeting of officers to review the drug abuse scenario and measures to be taken to curb the menace in the district.The meeting held threadbare deliberations on the rising trend of drug abuse, a reason behind many other crimes. The challenges like cracking down on the peddlers, local drug supply hubs, consumption hotspots, rehabilitation, etc. were discussed in detail and strategies to tackle them were highlighted.The DC emphasised upon concerned departments to involve youth in skill engagements, self employment ventures through incentive based govt.schemes in order to curb and prevent further spread of drug abuse.
He also directed the Youth Services and Sports Department to schedule a sports calendar and engage youth and students in Panchayat level, Block level and District level sports competitions and utilize network of playfields constructed across the district for the activities.The DC emphasised for better coordination among all the line departments, stakeholders and Drug law enforcement agencies to eradicate poppy cultivation, check drug trafficking and related issues and ensure prompt sharing of inputs within all enforcement units so that timely action is taken against the drug peddlers.The DC also directed the concerned to ensure proper vigil in and around the schools to keep check on supply and use of drugs across the district.He further emphasised upon Principal GDC, CEO, CMO, DYSSO the need for conducting mass awareness especially among educational and health institutions on different aspects of drug menace and drug de-addiction.The meeting was attended by all the district officers and officials of the district.