SRINAGAR: To review the different steps taken to curb the drug abuse and narcotic trade in Srinagar, a District Level Committee of Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) was held today under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad here at Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex.
At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner discussed threadbare various issues related to the menace of drug addiction, areas of concern, hot spots of drug peddling/abuse besides, and measures undertaken to break the chain of drug peddling and its consumption in the District to save youth from the ill effects of the drugs.
The Deputy Commissioner also held deliberations with regard to the activation of a Digital Interface for faceless Consent by victims of drug abuse for Tele Counseling and Rehabilitation.
On the occasion, the DC stressed upon the Officers of all the line Departments including Enforcement agencies to ensure better coordination in enforcing greater deterrence to combat the dangerous trade of drug trafficking. He said that efforts with Cooperation, Coordination and Collaboration are vital to contain drug peddling and break the supply chain, besides taking stringent action against the culprits involved in the hazardous trade of drugs.
The DC said in order to combat this rising societal problem, multi-pronged Rehabilitation, Counselling and Guidance policy is indispensable to be implemented on ground to monitor drug abuse and take remedial measures to curb the menace. He sought cooperation from the families particularly from parents to overcome the menace among the youth which also leads to other social evils and crimes.
He said that Religious Heads, Influencers and Parents have an important role to keep youngsters away from the use of drugs, and also the family support for the affected people could lead them towards normal and better life.
The DC said the drug menace is a major threat to the socio-economic structure and it has become imperative for the entire society to come together to uproot this menace and work as a strong entity to make Srinagar a healthy drugs free District. He further underscored that Srinagar Administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug suppliers and traffickers under the MISSION WAAPSI initiative.
The DC said it is a collective responsibility of all sections of society to join this fight against drug menace and called upon all the stakeholders particularly Imams, Khateebs, Religious Heads, and Public representatives to extend their cooperation to District Administration with determined efforts and proactive approach to bringing the youth of Srinagar out of the darkness of drugs addiction.
The DC also emphasised on conducting awareness campaigns on mass scale using popular mass media tools against the drug menace to sensitize the youth about the hazards and ill effects of consuming drugs. The DC also laid stress on strengthening the rehabilitation centre and its effective functioning.
In order to provide immediate guidance and counseling to affected persons, the Deputy Commissioner asked for activating Digital Interface for faceless Consent by victims of drug abuse for Tele Counseling and Rehabilitation which shall be made available soon through online mode with added features.
Under this initiative, the Citizens of the District can enroll with District Administration through a Weblink as a volunteer to help in reporting/eradicate the drug menace from their areas.
The victims of substance abuse desirous to get rehabilitation facility from the Administration can also register themselves through Weblink without disclosing their real identity.
On the occasion, the Officers apprised about the present status with regard to the drug menace and shared their views and suggestive measures to be taken at the District level to control drug peddling and its consumption, besides rehabilitation measures for drug victims.
During the meeting, SP Headquarter, apprised the chair about the overall scenario of drug abuse in Srinagar and measures taken to curb the menace. He also informed the meeting that a large number of drug-affected persons visited the Youth Development and Rehabilitation Centre at Eidgah for treatment and most of them were successfully treated.
With regard to containment of drug peddling, it was given out that 30 peddlers have been detained under Narco PSA and 22 under PIT NDPS in the District and about 269 persons involved in the trafficking of the drug menace were put behind the bars.
Pertinent to mention that Srinagar Administration had launch MISSION WAAPSI initiative to eliminate the drug menace from the District with the aim to REHABILITATE victims of Drug addiction by providing them dignified LIVELIHOOD through proper handholding, Skill Development, and guidance under Government Self-Employment schemes. The initiative involves community participation on a massive scale.
While Zonal Director Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB), Rajesh Kumar participated in the meeting through virtual mode and threw light on various dimensions related to drug abuse and its peddling.
