DM Reasi calls for scaling up vigil against drug abuse, trafficking

REASI: District Magistrate Reasi Nidhi Malik today chaired the meeting of District level Narco Coordination (NCORD) Committee meeting at the DC Office Complex. The meeting was attended by senior functionaries from Police, Excise, Education, Health and other line departments to deliberate on strategies aimed at strengthening efforts against drug abuse and illicit trafficking in the district.

The District Magistrate took a comprehensive review of ongoing anti-narcotics measures, awareness campaigns and enforcement actions undertaken by the stakeholder departments.

Reviewing the intelligence gathering and trends of drug trafficking, SSP Paramvir Singh informed the DM that the Police have constituted an Anti-Drug Squad to tighten noose around the perpetrators of drug trafficking and substance abuse.

The DM directed the Police Department to intensify vigilance, especially in identified hotspots. She also reviewed the status of NDPS cases and instructed the prosecution to pursue the cases strongly.

Further, the DM emphasized the need to strictly enforce the ban on the sale of tobacco within 100 meters of educational institutions, directing concerned departments to ensure compliance with related laws. The DFO Reasi informed that poppy crops were destroyed in the Thakrakote and Pouni areas as part of the ongoing enforcement drive.

The District Magistrate also directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to prepare a detailed report of individuals undergoing de-addiction treatment and ensure proper follow-up and rehabilitation. She instructed the Health Department to procure and distribute drug testing kits among blocks, schools and colleges as per requirement to strengthen preventive efforts.

DM Malik also reviewed the IEC activities under the Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan being implemented by stakeholder departments and educational institutions to spread awareness about the ill effects of drug abuse. She directed officers to intensify awareness camps and ensure coverage of all areas of the district.

The DM also reviewed steps taken for the declaration of schools and colleges as Tobacco-Free Zones under the TOFEI guidelines. The CEO informed that ZEOs and colleges have submitted the required certificates.

The DM further instructed the Assistant Drug Controller to conduct regular inspections of medical establishments across the district. He informed that licenses of two establishments have been suspended for different violations. The DM further emphasized to enforce directions regarding installation of CCTV cameras and the computerized billing system at all medical shops to enhance transparency and accountability.

The DM also directed the CMO to closely monitor the process of establishing the Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) in the district and expedite its execution. Among others present in the meeting were  PO POSHAN Surdershan Kumar, ACD, CMO, CEO, DSWO, Tehsildars and other senior officers were present at the meeting.