Kulgam: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat on Tuesday launched two helpline numbers for the general public as an initiative to provide counseling & rehabilitation to drug addicts, and for public assistance in war against Drugs.
The DC launched these numbers during a meeting of the District Level Committee under the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), held to discuss various measures aimed to curb the drug abuse and narcotic trade in the district.
The District Administration launched Helpline Number 7683077199 for the general public as an initiative to provide counseling and rehabilitation to drug Addicts under Project Rehnuma and also launched whatsapp Helpline Number 9484018083 for the general public to assist the District Administration in war against drugs.
During the meeting, threadbare discussion was also held on various issues related to penal action against drug peddlers including registration of FIR, arrests of peddlers, incidences of drug addiction and areas of concern besides cultivation of illicit poppy, cannabis in the district.
The DC sought details from the concerned departments about the measures taken as per set Action Plan, to control the drug menace and cultivation of illicit poppy, cannabis in the district.
The chair was informed that multiple activities ranging from penal action to generation of awareness and massive poppy destruction drives were carried out across the district. Cultivated poppy was destroyed on hundreds of kanals, intimated officials from Excise, Police and RDD.
Police authorities informed the chair that during the ongoing month, 14 Kg Cannabis was recovered, 21 FIRs were registered and multiple arrests made.
Earlier, the DC said that drug abuse is a serious problem that not only affects individuals, but also families and communities. He stated that it is essential to tackle the issue from multiple perspectives, including deterrence, treatment and enforcement.
On the occasion, the DC stressed upon the Officers of all the line departments including Enforcement agencies to ensure better coordination in imposing greater deterrence to combat dangerous trade of drug-trafficking.
He instructed for devising multi-pronged strategy for declaration of Drug Free Panchayats from among the areas of concern and hotspot villages.
SSP Kulgam, Sahil Sarangal on the occasion stressed upon better cooperation, coordination and collaboration among departments and community to contain the menace besides taking stringent action against the persons involved in poppy cultivation.
ADC, Kulgam Vikar Ahmad Giri, speaking on the occasion, emphasised upon all stakeholders to organise the massive awareness and orientation programmes against the drug abuse across the district especially among youth in schools and colleges.
During the meeting, the functioning of Addiction Treatment Facility, stationed at District Hospital was also reviewed and health authorities were asked to share the progress of the Centre.
Officers from the drug control office informed the chair that CCTVs and Computerized billing system is in place in towns of the district and the process is now in place in rural areas also.
The meeting was attended by ACR Mir Imtiyaz-ul-Aziz; SDM Noorabad, Bashir Ul Hassan; Addl. SP, Shabir Ahmad; ACD Mohammad Imran Khan; CMO, DIO, DFO, and other officers and officials.
