RDD to declare drug abuse free Panchayats in consultation with PRIs: DC Doda

Excelsior Correspondent

DODA, Dec 27: The 6th Narco Coordination (NCORD) Committee meeting was held to review the action taken by the designated members and to formulate the future course of action to eradicate drug abuse in the district.
District Magistrate (DC), Vishesh Paul Mahajan chaired the meeting virtually. ADM (ADC), Dr R K Bharti read out the decisions taken in the previous meeting and reviewed the progress made, action taken and bridging of delivery gaps by the intending departments.
Senior Superintendent Police, Abdul Qayoom, who is also the convener of the Committee, presented the latest scenario in the district regarding control on drug addiction and drug trafficking. He also presented the agenda of the meeting.
The SSP informed the Committee that mass level awareness camps have been conducted in the district. Under operation Pathshala, 210 awareness programmes on hazards of drug menace were conducted in the schools of the district during the current calendar year, till date, he informed.
He further informed that as many as 42 cases have been registered against 49 drug peddlers under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. All the suspects have been brought under the surveillance of district police and their involvement is under verification and disciplinary action shall follow soon.
The DM emphasized the use of a specific drug testing kit to verify the suspected drug users. He further asked enforcement agencies to watch the behaviour of suspects and keep them under close surveillance so that the odd men can be identified. Tehsildars and police officers were asked to ensure that suspects and medical stores in their jurisdiction were closely monitored by them.
ACD Doda was asked to declare drug abuse free Panchayats in consultation with PRIs.
It was further decided that the farmers/ persons, involved in cultivation of Cannabis/ Opium or those involved in Drug peddling shall be debarred from getting benefits from any of the government schemes, besides initiating legal action against them.
The meeting was attended by, ACR, SE, PWD, CEO, CAO, Dy SP DAR, DIO DIPR, Tehsildar Headquarter, Drug Control Officer and representatives of Excise and Taxation officer. The ADCs, SDMs, CMO, DFO Batote and all the Tehsildars and other concerned officers attended the meeting virtually.