District-Level NCORD meeting reviews anti- drug measures in Kishtwar

KISHTWAR, OCTOBER 25: The District-Level NCORD Committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, today reviewed the enforcement measures taken by the stakeholder departments to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the district.
The discussions centered on strengthening the de-addiction framework and assessing the progress of the Information, Education & Communication (IEC) Campaign under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
The Deputy Commissioner conducted a comprehensive review of the prevailing situation, while seeking feedback from the Committee members regarding vulnerable areas, affected age groups and identified hotspots. He also evaluated the preventive and enforcement actions undertaken by the stakeholder departments.
Emphasizing the importance of community engagement, the DC called for active involvement of all stakeholders in the ongoing UT-wide IEC campaign. He noted that nine resource persons from across line departments have been deputed to ensure wider outreach and effective public awareness on drug abuse prevention. He directed the Heads of Departments to ensure the participation of their nominated resource persons, cautioning that non-compliance or absenteeism would be viewed seriously.
The DC directed for systemic implementation of drug control measures, including attachment or seizure of properties belonging to drug peddlers in accordance with the NDPS Act.
He also constituted a special inspection team, headed by the Tehsildar Kishtwar and the Drug Inspector, to curb illegal sale of psychotropic substances.
To restrain the misuse of courier services for drug trafficking, the DC directed strict enforcement of the prescribed SOPs and guidelines, besides initiating legal action against the defaulters.
He directed the SSP to submit the fortnightly report about the checking of courier service providers operating in the district.
The Higher Education and School Education Departments were directed to take actionable steps to declare the educational institutions as Tobacco-Free Zones.
Additionally, the DC directed to declare 27 more Panchayats as Nasha Mukt after following due procedure and compliance with prescribed SOPs.
The DC also directed the ARTO not to issue driving licences to any individual involved in drug-related activities.
Calling for a collective and coordinated approach, the Deputy Commissioner urged all departments, law enforcement agencies, and community representatives to work in synergy to protect the youth and make Kishtwar a drug-free district.
The meeting was attended by SSP Naresh Singh; ADC Pawan Kotwal; PO ICDS Rishi Kumar Sharma; DSWO Tariq Parvez Qazi; ARTO Tasleem Wani; CAO Kushal Chandel; Dy. CMO Dr Masood Ahmed Qazi and other officers and officials from line departments.