SRINAGAR: Let us collectively employ our efforts & resources to eradicate substance abuse to secure the young generation from sliding into the menace of drugs, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bhiduri, remarked while chairing an NCORD meeting.
At the outset, Incharge Divisional Control Room, Tahir Magrey gave a detailed presentation on the Burden of Mental Health disorders and Substance Abuse, the status of substance users in the Kashmir division, measures taken to destroy the poppy crop and bhung plants by enforcement agencies, counseling and rehabilitation process, functioning of drug de-addiction centers, surveillance on unorganized and organized drug trafficking activities, etc.
Speaking on the occasion, Div Com directed DCs to divert abandoned government buildings or unutilized buildings to the nearby departments so that these structures shall not become hubs of drug addicts. He also asked for regular surveillance of such places.
He impressed upon the officers to spread awareness at the grassroots level about the negative impact of drugs in society.
He instructed them to classify villages according to the number of individuals involved in substance use and label those hamlets as green, yellow, and red depending upon severity.
While acknowledging the pivotal role of religious leaders and PRIs, he asked DCs to sensitize religious leaders, Imams, and public representatives to create awareness among people to curb substance abuse.
Div Com exhorted officers to adopt a proactive approach to stop the spread of drugs among youth.
In order to break the nexus of drug trafficking, Bidhuri vouched for the detention of drug traffickers under different NDPS laws while asking for the activation of counseling centers for others to rehabilitate them.
Besides, Div Com also instructed Divisional & District officers to publicize helpline numbers of SUKOON & E-MANS so the victims of drug abuse will receive proper counseling.
