NCORD meeting: Drug control measures reviewed in Samba

The District Level Committee of Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) today discussed the measures to eradicate drug abuse and trafficking at its meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Samba, Abhishek Sharma.

During the meeting, a detailed deliberation was held on measures taken to curb the menace of drug abuse in the district.

The NCORD Committee members informed that several drug peddlers and habitual offenders have been arrested in Samba, especially operating in the border area. “Licenses of the chemists have been suspended for violating the prescribed rules and regulations,” informed the Drug Controller Officer. It was further informed that an awareness campaign has been launched in schools, colleges, Panchayats, on social media platforms to channelise the potential of the youth towards a positive direction.

The Assistant Drug Controller informed that out of 358 out of 558 medical stores have installed CCTV cameras which will help in keeping a check on over the counter sale of psychotropic drugs. Similarly enforcement teams conducted 214 inspections and suspended 24 Licences, while 3 Licenses were cancelled.

He also said that the awareness programme was conducted in the month of February at Tehsil Rajpura and a drive to popularise the De-addiction helpline numbers 14446 &14416 has also been launched.

The Committee called for putting in place an effective mechanism to ensure zero tolerance against drug peddling along the border belt.

The Deputy Commissioner laid emphasis on identification of drug addicts and their rehabilitation.

The DC stressed on mapping all those vulnerable spots in the district which either have reported cases of drug addiction or its supplies to launch a mass awareness encouraging the community members to facilitate rehabilitation of drug addicts and crackdown on the perpetrators .

The DC asked the Chief Education Officer to launch a massive awareness campaign in the schools to sensitize the students about hazards of drug menace. He stressed for insightful counseling of parents during parent-teacher meetings.

All the concerned were asked to compile a database of drug addicts to facilitate their medical treatment to save their precious lives.

The meeting was attended by ADDC Samba Rajinder Singh, ADC Rakesh Dubey, DSWO Deep Kumar, CEO Samba Kewal Kumar, Drug Controller Officer, Health Department, Other representatives etc.