DC Bandipora chairs NCORD, COTPA meeting

BANDIPORA: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr. Owais Ahmed Saturday chaired a meeting of District Level Committee under Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD) Mechanism & Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Prohibition Act (COTPA), at Conference Hall of Mini Secretariat, here.

Vice Chairperson District Development Council Kowsar Shafeeq was present on the occasion.

The meeting discussed in detail ways and means to curb the drug menace and the role of various stakeholders. It also discussed the alarming issue of drug addiction and abuse, and strategies to tackle this issue.

On the occasion, the DC discussed various issues related to menace of drug addiction, areas of concern, age group of addicts, hot spots of drug peddling, abuse, besides, cultivation of illicit poppy and cannabis in the district. He highlighted the need for coordinated efforts between government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organizations and community leaders to effectively address the drug problem.

Dr. Owais stressed on more intensive awareness campaigns to educate the public regarding the dangers of drug abuse, improved access to addiction treatment and support services, and stronger regulation of the pharmaceutical shops to prevent the illegal distribution of banned drugs.

The DC also highlighted the role of various stakeholders in addressing the drug crisis, including law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, educators, parents, and religious heads. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and a unified approach in order to combat the drug menace effectively.

Dr. Owais said that we must work in coordination to address this issue and ensure that our communities are equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to prevent drug abuse and support those struggling with addiction. He urged the participants to spread the message of “Say No to Drugs” in order to save our youth from this menace.

On the occasion, the DC directed all the Tehsildars to conduct tehsil level meetings in this regard. He directed the education department to intensify the awareness programmes regarding drug menace in all the educational institutions.

Dr Owais directed to form teams at tehsil levels headed by the concerned Tehsildars for consistent checking of medical/drug shops for conduct to be followed by them. He also stressed for complete switching over to Computerized billing system in all the medical shops across all the three subdivisions.

DySP Bandipora on the occasion informed that police arrested many culprits and were booked under the relevant acts. He added that police administration, with the help of district administration, has adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards drug abuse.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Chairperson DLSA, Nodal Officer Coordination Mohd Ashraf, DySP Bandipora, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Umar Shafi Pandit, DDC Members, BDCs, Excise Department and other concerned. Principals of Educational Institutions, Sub Divisional Magistrates of Sumbal, and Gurez also attended the meeting.