District Magistrate Reasi, Babila Rakwal today called for a coordinated action against drug abuse and preventing the supply of drugs and Psychotropic substances of abuse.
Chairing a meeting of Heads of Educational Institutions, the DM said police, teachers, Mentors, health professionals and society need to play a pivotal role in curbing the menace.
The DM stressed that the role of education and health departments in alerting and spreading awareness among the students against the menace is critical.
The DM stressed on organising IEC activities, holding of regular Parent-Teacher-Meetings in educational institutions, spreading awareness among all other stakeholders, functioning of Drug De- Addiction Centres, working of control room, enforcement agencies and helpline number etc.
The DM directed the HOIs to held Symposiums, Nukad Natak and debates on drug menace and De-addiction in collaboration with the prominent members of the Civil society and to designate a Master Role Model /Ex- students who have achieved success in their respective field and constitute a counselling cell and a secret committee which will regularly monitor the any unusual behaviour of the students and any other suspicious person having direct or indirect link with the drug paddlers.
The DM also directed to submit a report of findings of the committee regarding behaviour of students on a regular basis and to keep a vigil on the suspicious places where youth can get involved in drug menace.
“Drug menace is a war” initiated to destroy our younger generation and the need of the hour is to make sincere and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders. What is required is to sensitize the Teachers and educate the parents to report any unusual behaviour or complaints by their wards regarding unscrupulous elements approaching them for involving or using drugs,” the DM emphasised.
Speaking at the meeting, SSP Reasi Amit Gupta said that teens are most vulnerable and need special attention to keep them away from drug menace. “Teachers have the best access to youth and they can counsel them more effectively” he said and added that only coordinated efforts of all the stakeholders can yield results.
The Civil and police Administration have established 24x7 helpline number 9070907017 and any person having any information regarding drug paddlers, youth involved in the drug related activities or other suspicious activity in and round the educational institutions/offices or any other place in the district can provide Information on the designated helpline number without disclosing their identity, he informed.
The meeting was attended by ADC Abdul Star, CEO Sunita Bali, DSWO Pallvi Sharma, DIO Rajinder Digra, Colleges Principals and other Educational HOIs, NCORD Committee members, besides other district officers.