In order to discuss the action plan to curb the drug abuse and narcotic trade in Pulwama, a District Level Committee of Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) was held today under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary here.
At the outset, the DC 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.
He emphasised on conducting awareness camps in schools and colleges on mass scale to sensitize the youth about hazards and ill effects of consuming drugs. He also asked the officers of all line departments to make coordinated efforts to contain the drug peddling and break the supply chain besides taking stringent action against the persons involved in this dangerous trade.
Choudhary said, in order to combat this rising societal problem, multi-pronged rehabilitation, counseling and guidance policy is being implemented on ground to monitor drug abuse and take remedial measures to curb the menace.
He sought cooperation from the families particularly from parents to overcome the menace among the youth which also leads to other social evils and crimes. He said religious heads and parents have an important role to keep the youngsters away from the use of drugs and also the family support for the affected people could lead them towards normal life.
The DC assured the departments that all requisite support will be provided by the District Administration for saving youth from the ill effects of the drugs. The DC directed Assistant Drug Controller Pulwama to get CCTV cameras installed at all medical shops which lie within the limits of schools, colleges, hospitals and masjids so that overall surveillance with regard to the containment of drug sales is enforced.
He also directed the Assistant Drug Controller to establish a 24*7 flying squad to check the sales of contraband drugs in the district. On the occasion, Officers apprised about the situation with regard to the drug menace and shared their suggestions and measures to be taken at District level to control the drug peddling and its consumption, besides measures for rehabilitation of drug victims.
Among others, the meeting was attended by ADC Tral S.A Raina, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, DySP Hq Pulwama/ Awantipora, Assistant Drug Controller, Chief Agriculture Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, besides Officers from Education, Health, Excise, Forest Departments.