Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Apr: Dehradun district administration has intensified its campaign against narcotics and illegal substances with a firm resolve to make the district and the state drug-free. Acting on the directives of District Magistrate Savin Bansal, a meeting of the District Narcotics Coordination Committee was held today under the chairmanship of Additional District Magistrate (ADM) (Revenue) KK Mishra during which detailed discussions were held on measures ranging from public awareness to legal enforcement.
The ADM reminded those present that the menace of drugs is not merely a law and order issue but a matter of social responsibility. He directed all the departments concerned to launch extensive awareness campaigns through educational institutions, panchayats and social organisations to ensure community participation. He stressed that the anti-drug drive must be continuous and multi-dimensional.
Instructions were also issued to strengthen CCTV surveillance around the schools and sensitive areas, to activate anti-drug committees in all the educational institutions. Mishra also directed the officials to widely publicise helpline numbers 1933, the NCV Manas portal, and the district de-addiction centre helpline 9625777399 so that those struggling with addiction can access timely assistance. Expressing concern over the rising trend of chemical addiction among youth, Mishra said it poses a grave threat to society’s future and requires collective effort. Agencies including ANTF, STF, police, NCB and the Drugs Department were directed to act jointly and decisively to break the supply chain.
The ADM also ordered surprise inspections in colleges and universities along with random sampling of suspected cases to curb drug use at the earliest. He emphasised regular inspection of de-addiction centres and monitoring of their functioning and also directed the officials to speed up the process of establishing a child rehabilitation centre in the district.
The officials shared in the meeting that of the 84 registered and 2 unregistered de-addiction centres in the district, 23 have been found closed during physical verification while 15 others are facing action for irregularities. Under the drug testing campaign in higher educational institutions, samples of 711 suspected students have been taken, all of which returned negative results. The Drugs Inspector informed that CCTV installation has been made mandatory at medical stores and sale of medicines without a pharmacist has been prohibited. The police officials stated that complaints received on the Manas helpline are being acted upon promptly. At the 30-bedded de-addiction centre in Raiwala, six patients have recovered and been discharged, while treatment of 14 others is ongoing.
Among those present at the meeting were SDM Sadar Kumkum Joshi, CO Police Jagdish Pant, District Excise Officer VK Joshi, ACMO Dr Dinesh Chauhan, Additional Social Welfare Officer Poonam Chamoli, Drugs Inspector Vinod Jagudi, CEO VK Dhaundiyal, Supriya from Aasra Trust, committee members and senior officials from tehsils who joined the meeting on virtual mode.
