Shadow Correspondent
BARAMULLA, DEC 10:
In order to strengthen the district’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla, Minga Sherpa Tuesday chaired the 15th NCORD meeting, here.
The meeting focused on preventive measures, early identification of drug addicts, and rehabilitation strategies through a collaborative approach involving various departments.
During the meeting, the DC emphasized the need for capacity-building among key stakeholders, including educators, health workers, and ICDS staff. He directed the concerned departments to organize training sessions for staff at the primary, middle, and higher secondary levels. These sessions aim to help frontline workers identify early signs of drug addiction and provide timely interventions.
Minga Sherpa also highlighted the importance of health camps and screening programs to identify cases of substance abuse. These initiatives will be conducted at schools, colleges, and community centers. Awareness campaigns targeting students, parents, and the broader community were also recommended to educate them about the dangers of drug use and the importance of seeking help.
Community engagement was a key focus, with the DC calling for workshops and awareness drives involving parents and local leaders to foster a collective approach to prev ention.
He stressed the need to create support networks for addicts and their families, ensuring access to rehabilitation centers for recovery and reintegration into society.
In a bid to further enhance efforts, the DC directed the police to identify drug hotspots within the district and implement targeted interventions in these areas to curb the spread of drug abuse. Additionally, the DC instructed the Agriculture Officer to identify areas where unsustainable crops are being grown and to provide alternative crops that are more sustainable, offering economic stability while reducing dependence on harmful practices.
A robust monitoring and data collection system was proposed to track identified cases and ensure proper follow-up.
The DC emphasized the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, particularly between education, health, social welfare, law enforcement, and agriculture, to effectively implement these measures.
The DC also directed the District Youth Services and Sports Officer to organize a mega sports event with the theme ‘Awareness against Drug Abuse’ to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs while engaging the youth through sports and community participation.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Principal Government Medical College Baramulla, Additional Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Additional Superintendent Police Sopore, Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Pattan and Gulmarg, Chief Education Officer, Chief Medical Officer and other concerned officers were attended the meeting.
