8th NCORD meeting: DC B’gam calls for zero tolerance against perpetrators of drug abuse

Budgam: The 8th NCORD meeting of district Budgam was held at Sheikh ul Alam Hall of DC Office here under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, S F Hamid.
At the outset, the DC stressed on imposing strict penalties against the drug peddlers. He reviewed all the departments involved directly in curbing the spread of drug abuse in Budgam.
The DC directed Forest, Agriculture and other concerned departments to come up with a proposal for plantation of useful vegetation to replace the wild cannabis (Bhang) in the district. He directed the Excise and Taxation department to check the cultivation of poppy and cannabis before it is actually grown.
The sub divisional administrations were directed to coordinate with police and Assistant Drug Controller and make a committee at sub- division level to carry out joint poppy destruction Exercise by involving PRIs and other stakeholders.
The DC directed the education, health, Social welfare and Information departments to conduct awareness programmes in all colleges, schools of the district.
He further directed the Health department for health check up of students in all Degree Colleges, Higher Secondaries and High Schools under the direct supervision of their respective heads.
He directed to complete the exercise within the shortest possible time.
Seeking strict enforcement of drug control rules, he asked Assistant Drug Controller Budgam to ensure mandatory maintaining of record of sale of psychotropic drugs by the medical stores.
He further directed principals of different colleges of Budgam to actively participate in curbing this social abuse.
He called for sensitisation of local Imams and religious heads through imparting training to them at District level for counselling the youth against effects of drug abuse.
The DC stressed upon the members to ensure effective implementation of the directions aimed at to curb the drug abuse in the district. He said, we all need to curb this menace with a heavy hand.
Earlier, SSP Budgam threw light on the drug abuse, its causes and prevention. He briefed about the measures Budgam Police has been taking for prevention of drug abuse like carrying out frequent awareness rallies and conducting awareness programmes/seminars in schools, colleges and during Thana Diwas at Police Stations throughout the district.
He informed that in the Control part, they are taking stringent legal action against those found indulging in drug peddling and in the Rehabilitation part they are conducting counseling and providing treatment to those who have become victims of drug abuse.
Lastly, the DC enjoined upon the officers to ensure zero tolerance towards drug abuse and stressed for better coordination among various departments and implementation of innovative ideas in controlling drug abuse.
Besides, SSP Tahir Geelani; ADDC Budgam, Dr. AkhramullahTak; CEO, CMO, SDMs, DIO, Principals of colleges, ETO, Assistant drug controller, EOs of MCs were present in the meeting.