DM Jammu chairs NCORD meeting to intensify anti-drugs measures

 Stresses awareness drives to educate youth against ill effects of drugs

JAMMU, MARCH 06: "Society and the district administration need to make coordinated efforts to curb the drug menace. Vigilance by all stakeholders and members of society is vital in this mission against drugs and for a healthy future”, remarked District Magistrate Sachin Kumar Vaishya, while chairing a meeting of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD).

The meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police Joginder Singh, Additional District Magistrate Ansuya Jamwal, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Tehsildars and other district officers. SP Headquarters Irshad Hussain Rather and SDPOs also attended the meeting.

Emphasising the need for preventive measures, the District Magistrate underscored the importance of raising awareness among school and college students about the dangers of drug abuse. He reviewed the outcome programmes conducted so far and stressed that their impact should be visible and substantial. He called for active participation from SDMs, SDPOs, Tehsildars and SHOs in educating the youth.

The District Magistrate highlighted the necessity of inter-departmental collaboration, stating that coordinated efforts involving the departments for Drug Control, Police and Education besides others are crucial for achieving tangible results. He also directed Assistant Drug Controllers and other concerned officers to conduct regular surprise inspections of chemist shops. SDMs were instructed to oversee these inspections to ensure strict compliance.

To enhance surveillance and prevent misuse of pharmaceutical drugs, the meeting reiterated the enforcement of a recent order mandating the installation of CCTV cameras at key establishments across Jammu.

The meeting also focused on identifying and neutralising drug hotspots and dismantling the supply chain. The role of drug de-addiction centres and their adherence to established regulations was reviewed. Additionally, the strict implementation of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) in the district was highlighted as a priority.