BUDGAM, MAY 20: 47th District-Level Narco Coordination (NCORD) Committee Meeting was Wednesday convened at the DC Office Budgam under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Athar Aamir Khan, along with SSP Budgam Hariprasad KK, to review ongoing anti-drug measures and strengthen strategies for a drug-free Budgam.
The meeting, as per an official statement, was attended by ADC Budgam, Mehraj-ud-din Shah; all SDMs, ACP, CMO, DIO, DSWO, Medical Superintendent DH Budgam, Principals of Government Degree Colleges, Executive Officers of Municipal Committees, officers from Excise, Police, Health, Education, Rural Development Departments and other concerned officers.
At the outset, the DC reviewed action taken on decisions made during previous meetings and assessed progress achieved under the ongoing 100-Day Intensive Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan being implemented across the district.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that drug abuse is not merely a law enforcement issue but a serious social challenge affecting families, youth, and the overall social fabric.
He said that the administration shall continue to adopt a zero-tolerance approach against drug peddlers, traffickers, and cultivators, while simultaneously ensuring proper treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation facilities for victims of substance abuse.
The DC emphasised that a multi-dimensional strategy involving strict enforcement, preventive awareness, community participation, counselling, and rehabilitation is essential for eliminating the menace of drugs from society.
He highlighted the extensive awareness activities being carried out under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, including massive IEC campaigns, awareness programmes in schools and colleges, counselling sessions, Gram Sabhas, and community outreach initiatives across villages and urban areas of the district.
The meeting was informed that intensified drives against narcotics cultivation are being conducted in coordination with Police, Excise, Revenue, and Agriculture Departments. The DC stressed that roadsides, embankments, and Panchayat areas must remain free from illicit cannabis and poppy cultivation and directed concerned departments to continue destruction drives and ensure registration of FIRs wherever required.
Regarding regulation of pharmacies and drug sale monitoring, the DC directed that all chemist shops shall ensure proper CCTV coverage and Computerized Billing Systems (CBS) for maintaining transparency and accountability. He instructed the Drug Inspector to continue regular inspections and ensure strict action against violations, including cancellation of licences wherever necessary.
The DC further stated that the Drug De-Addiction Centre Budgam should provide effective treatment, counselling, and rehabilitation support to affected individuals.
He directed the Health Department to ensure uninterrupted round-the-clock services at DDAC and also strengthened OPD facilities at Addiction Treatment Facility (ATF) at District Hospital.
To strengthen preventive monitoring, the DC directed all Government Degree Colleges in the district to continue massive awareness programmes among students regarding the harmful effects of substance abuse.
The DC also directed SDMs to hold consultations with religious scholars, community elders, and civil society members to encourage awareness through sermons and community participation for promoting “Nasha-Mukt Panchayats and ULBs. He further directed them to closely monitor all the Nasha Mukt Bharat programmes in their sub-divisions.
The DC further instructed the Rural Development Department to organise special programmes on Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in every gram panchayat of their respective blocks focusing on anti-drug awareness and community mobilisation.
The DC said that the campaign against drugs requires active participation of all stakeholders including government departments, civil society organisations, teachers, parents, youth, and religious leaders.
The DC called for collective commitment of all departments to continue coordinated and sustained efforts under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to achieve the goal of a drug-free Budgam.
On the occasion, SSP Budgam stressed enhanced inter-departmental coordination, and sustained counselling and rehabilitation measures for victims of drug addiction.
- He also emphasised intensified enforcement measures against peddlers and traffickers to dismantle the drug network in the district.
