DM Ramban chairs District-Level NCORD meeting; Calls for intensive drug control measures

RAMBAN, AUGUST 22: District Magistrate Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan today directed all stakeholder departments to intensify efforts on a mission mode to curb drug abuse and illicit trafficking across the district. He was chairing a meeting of the District-level NCORD committee convened in his office chambers.
The meeting was attended by SSP Arun Gupta;ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak; SDMs, ACD, SDWO, CMO, CEO, Tehsildars and other concerned officers.
Reviewing the measures taken by enforcement agencies, the District Magistrate directed SDMs and Tehsildars to intensify awareness drives in their jurisdictions to sensitize students and youth about the harmful effects of drugs. He also instructed them to impose a strict ban on smoking in government institutions and public places besides ensuring implementation of NCORD guidelines in their areas.
Taking stock of cannabis destruction, the DC instructed officers of Revenue, Police, Excise, Agriculture and Horticulture departments to ensure complete removal of illicit cultivation if any from their areas. He also reviewed the functioning of Drug De-Addiction Centres at District Hospital Ramban and directed for further upgradation of the facility.
The Drug Inspector was directed to strictly check drug prescriptions, ensure functioning of CCTV cameras and CBS in chemist shops, keep tab on suspicious parcels at courier services and monitor allied activities to curb unauthorized drug sales.
Speaking at the meeting, the SSP listed various measures to curb drug abuse and drug trafficking in the district, including intensified awareness drives in educational institutions, strict surveillance in vulnerable areas and coordinated action of police, civil administration and health departments to tackle the menace effectively.
Further, the DSWO, Excise Department and Drug Inspector, were instructed to organize regular awareness programmes in schools, colleges and public places to sensitize youth about the ill effects of substance abuse.
Reiterating that the District Administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug abuse, the DM appealed to parents to keep a close watch on their children and guide them to stay away from drugs.
Earlier, the District Magistrate also chaired a meeting on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act implementation, emphasizing the need for strict enforcement and coordinated action.