Srinagar: Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar Wednesday chaired the maiden meeting with representatives of all stakeholders involved for the successful implementation of Drug de-addiction policy in the state. The meeting discussed work done by these field departments and action plan that is to be adopted by all.
The meeting was attended by Financial Commissioner Health Atal Dulloo, Commissioner Secretary School Education Sarita Chouhan, IG CRPF Ravideep Sahi, IGP Crime Mukesh Singh, Excise Commissioner M Raju, Secretary RDD Sheetal Nanda, Secretary YS&S Sarmad Hafeez, Director Colleges Dr Yasin Ahmad, Director Coordination Dr Yashpal Sharma, Director Information Gulzar Ahmad Dar, Principal GMC Jammu Dr Sunanda Raina, Principal GMC Srinagar Dr Parvaiz Ahmed Shah, Director Heath Kashmir Dr Kunzes Dolma, Project Director JKSACS Mushtaq Ahmad Rather, representatives from Police Drug de-addiction centre Srinagar, various NGO’s and other concerned persons.
To apprise the meeting about the main components of the Drug de-addiction policy and the action taken by the stakeholders since the adoption of the policy in the state, a detailed presentation was made by Prof. Arshad Hussain, Psychiatrist working in GMC Srinagar.
In his presentation, he highlighted the activities of all the filed departments and other stakeholders separately who are involved in the process of freeing the state from drug menace. The actions in form of different activities being undertaken by the departments were discussed in detail and it was decided that focus should be on to generate as much as awareness among people especially the youth of the state.
Different kind of training programs must be initiated involving volunteers from every department, police and other forces who will be made master trainers to further train people at various levels, the meeting decided.
The meeting had threadbare discussions on the action plan of every department/stakeholder they have proposed to be taken up in the coming time. It was stressed that whatever they have decided to do must be done in an effective manner so that goals are achieved and performance can be seen while analyzing the situation after some time.
Director Information was asked to scale up the awareness/publicity campaigns by involving all forms of media and also by utilizing the services of Cultural Academy in generating awareness among people by way of organizing nukkad plays, skits and other means.
It was said, every department was working alone or separately earlier to tackle the issue drug addiction but now there is need of all coming together and start working in a coordinated manner.
The meeting also decided that people who have successfully come out from the use of drugs should be encouraged to come in front and be made ambassadors in this mission. These people can really play an important role by motivating others to come out of use of drugs, the Advisor said.
Stress was also laid on in the meeting on strong enforcement of laws, Police, Excise and other law enforcing agencies were directed to ensure that anyone involved in the drug business be dealt strongly. Identified places with alarming signs must be prioritized in terms of strong vigil, the Advisor said adding action need to be followed by booking of drug peddlers and for which intelligence wings should also be strengthened.
It was also decided that to analyze the work done by all, a small report should be prepared and submitted in every week by every department through a nodal officer so that necessary additions can be made and ground situation be ascertained.
The Advisor also asked for community participation in an effective manner. Secretary RDD was asked to get Sarpanches and Panches in the picture by providing training to them at the skill centres to further benefit the large population.
On the occasion it was felt that a dedicated HELPLINE should also be created for which Health department will work out the modalities and would place professionals to help the addicts/parents or anyone else needs any information on the issue.
