Excelsior Correspondent
PULWAMA, Aug 25: To review and further strengthen measures aimed at curbing drug abuse, preventing trafficking, and ensuring effective rehabilitation of victims in the district, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, today chaired the 25th District-Level Narco Coordination Committee (NCORD) meeting at the Administrative Complex, Pulwama.
The meeting began with a department-wise review of progress on enforcement, awareness, treatment, and rehabilitation. Officers from Police, Health, Education, Revenue, Agriculture, and Horticulture Departments presented updates against targets set in the previous meetings and shared their action plans for the coming months.
It was informed that under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan, Pulwama has conducted 380 IEC (Information, Education & Communication) camps at the panchayat level, 59 in urban local bodies, and 159 events in educational institutions, while 464 schools have been declared tobacco-free.
DC called for further scaling up of awareness campaigns with inclusive participation to sensitize the youth and community about the harmful effects of drug abuse. He stressed the establishment of Nasha Mukt Clubs and urged intensified efforts to make all educational institutions, including colleges, completely drug-free.
Highlighting the treatment and rehabilitation front, it was informed that 254 counselling sessions were conducted this month alone, taking the cumulative sessions to over 10,700 in the district.
DC directed for further strengthening of Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) and rehabilitation centres to ensure better care and long-term recovery support for victims.
He also instructed Revenue and Agri & allied departments to work in close coordination to identify and eliminate illicit cultivation. He further advised providing crop alternatives to cultivators as part of rehabilitation measures.
On regulating pharmaceuticals, DC directed officers to intensify inspection of medical shops and ensure that all pharmacies are equipped with CCTV surveillance and computerized billing systems to prevent misuse of prescription drugs.
He also instructed that fortnightly inspections of courier services be carried out to curb the illegal supply of psychotropic substances.
The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pulwama, P.D. Nitya; Assistant Commissioner Development, Pulwama; Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Pulwama and officers from the Health, Education & Police departments, along with other district and sectoral officers.
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