DC Kathua Rahul Pandey reviews measures to curb drug abuse at NCORD meeting

Kathua : Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rahul Pandey today chaired a meeting of the District Level Committee under the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) to discuss the measures to curb the drug abuse in the district.

At the outset, the DC asked the Committee members to work in close coordination and put in dedicated efforts to make Kathua a drug free district. While taking feedback from officers on the last DLC meet on NCORD, DC laid emphasis upon taking effective measures against drug abuse in the district.

He enjoined upon the officers to ensure zero tolerance towards drug abuse and stressed upon better coordination among various departments and implementation of innovative ideas in controlling drug abuse.

While reviewing the Drug de-addiction and rehabilitation scenario of the district, the DC directed CMO Kathua, Assistant Drugs Controller, CEO, District Social Welfare Officer, ACD Kathua, and Chief Agriculture Officer to keep a strict vigil over illicit drug supply and sales and take effective countermeasures to weed out drug menace.

The meeting also reviewed the status of installation of CCTV surveillance systems in pharmacy shops to keep a check on the unauthorized sale of drugs, the DC directed Assistant Controller Drugs to enforce the mandatory installation of CCTV in all such establishments dealing with the over the counter sale of medicines within specified timelines.

It was given out in the meeting that the license of one pharmacy shop has been suspended for not adhering to the instructions. The DC directed the Health Department to regularly inspect Drug De-Addiction Centers and close unregistered establishments.

The DC also called upon ADCs and SDMs to ensure that regular awareness drives be conducted in schools and colleges where officers of civil and police administration educate young students about the ill effects of drug abuse and motivate them to choose a healthy lifestyle.

The DC directed CEO Kathua to direct all institutional heads to play a guardian role by ensuring that no school student should leave the premises and roam outside unnecessarily during school hours.

To spread the awareness at Panchayat level, DC directed ACD to ensure awareness on Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir at Panchayat level during gram sabha meetings. SSP Kathua R.C Kotwal, CPO Kathua, Uttam Singh, CEO Kathua P.L Thapa and other concerned officers were also present.