Soreng, 08 June (IPR): The monthly meeting of the District Level Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) Committee was conducted at the Video Conference room at the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Soreng.
The District Collector-cum-Chairperson, NCORD, Mr Dhiraj Subedi chaired the meeting whereby he reviewed the drug abuse situation in the district and deliberated on measures for prevention, enforcement, rehabilitation and awareness generation.
During the meeting, the District Collector briefed the agenda points reviewing the assessment of drug abuse situation. He also enquired about the major developments in further prevention of drug abuse and emerging patterns of involvements in relation to drugs. He was also informed regarding the 10 drug-vulnerable hotspots have been identified across the district which was discussed at large.
Reviewing enforcement measures undertaken by law enforcement agencies, the meeting noted that no Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases were registered during the reporting period. It was informed that individuals involved in drug consumption had been apprehended and sent to rehabilitation centres. Additionally uprooting of cannabis plants in various sites was carried out by the police department in the district. The meeting also reviewed coordination efforts among enforcement agencies at strategic locations including Ramman Check Post, NTPC Budang and Nayabazar Akar Bridge.
Review of activities conducted by enforcement agencies included Awareness programmes on the POCSO Act, 2012 which were organised at Government Senior Secondary Schools in Tharpu, Ribdi and Kaluk. Discussions also focused on monitoring vulnerable trafficking routes, with surveillance being maintained at Nayabazar Akar Bridge, NTPC Budang and Ramman Check Post. It was informed that police personnel are regularly deployed to detect and prevent illicit trafficking and smuggling of narcotic substances.
The meeting also reviewed school and college-based interventions being undertaken under NCORD. It was reported that a Wall Magazine Competition on the theme “Choose Life, Not Addiction” was conducted under Prahari Club to promote anti-drug awareness among students. The committee noted active participation from students and appreciated the role of educational institutions in encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. It was further informed that Anti-Drug Committees are functioning in all government and private schools of the district, while Prahari Clubs have been activated to strengthen awareness and prevention initiatives.
The meeting also reviewed the status of financial investigations related to NDPS cases, wherein no cases were reported during the period under review.
Present in the meeting were SP Soreng, Mr Nahkul Pradhan, ADC Mr DR Bista, ASP Soreng, Mr Parsu Ram Sharma,SDM (HQ) Mr PK Subba, SDPO Soreng, Mr Chewang D Bhutia along with Social Welfare Department and SIB through online video conference.