Focus on stronger enforcement, awareness, and rehabilitation to combat drug abuse
PULWAMA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, today chaired the 27th District-Level Narco Coordination Committee (NCORD) meeting at the administrative complex Pulwama to review ongoing measures and strategise further actions aimed at curbing drug abuse, preventing trafficking, and ensuring effective rehabilitation of affected individuals across the district.
The meeting commenced with a detailed department-wise review of progress achieved on the key areas such as enforcement, destruction of wild cannabis and poppy straw, awareness campaigns, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Officers from the Police, Health, Education, Revenue, Agriculture, and Horticulture Departments presented updates on targets achieved since the previous meeting and outlined their upcoming action plans.
Emphasising the crucial role of institutional participation, Dr. Qayoom urged the establishment of “Nasha Mukht Clubs” in all educational institutions, including colleges, to intensify awareness campaigns and promote a drug-free academic environment. He further stressed on intensifying efforts to declare all educational institutions in the district completely drug-free.
On the rehabilitation front, it was informed that 347 counselling sessions were conducted in the month of September by Addiction Treatment Facility(ATF), Pulwama bringing the cumulative number of sessions held this year in the district to over 11,300. The DC directed the concerned department to further strengthen Addiction Treatment Facility to ensure quality care, sustained recovery, and social reintegration of victims.
Dr. Qayoom also instructed the Revenue, excise and Agriculture & Allied Departments to work in close coordination for the identification and elimination of illegal cultivation and to promote alternative crops as part of rehabilitation measures.
In regard to pharmaceutical regulation, the DC directed officers to identify and restrict the misuse of drugs prone to abuse. He further instructed for regular inspections of courier services to prevent the illegal transport and supply of psychotropic substances.
Reviewing the status of cases under the NDPS Act, Dr. Qayoom stressed on time-bound investigation and prosecution to ensure deterrence and effective enforcement of law against offenders.
The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pulwama, P. D. Nitya; SSP Awantipora, Sajad Ahmad Shah; and officers from the Health, Education, and Police Departments, besides other district and sectoral officers.