YINGKIONG, Feb 3: A monthly review meeting of the District Narco Coordination (NCORD) Committee was held under the chairmanship of Upper Siang District Magistrate-cum-Chairman District Level NCORD Committee Talo Jerang here at the DC’s office conference hall here today.
During the meeting organized by the District Police in collaboration with the District Administration, the minutes of the last NCORD meeting were reviewed and follow up action initiated by all stakeholders came up for discussion.
Speaking at the meeting, the DM said that ‘drug addiction is not only an individual problem but it also affects the family and society at large and so we need concerted efforts from all sections of society to make Upper Siang a drug-free district’.
He said a monthly review meeting of NCORD will be held every first week of the month to review and discuss a new action plan. He added that ‘although there is no latest reports on Opium cultivation in the district but stressed on a continuous effort from Police, local administration, NGOs and civil society members, and said they must work together to discourage and totally eradicate opium cultivation thereby encouraging the farmers to adopt innovative sustainable farming activities for economic sustenance’.
Underscoring the role of women groups in effective mobilization at community level, Jerang also asked the DD, ICDS to mobilise Aganwadi workers and helpers to spread awareness on anti-drugs at village level through meetings and audio visuals to reach out to maximum numbers of people.
SP Upper Siang Token Saring also highlighted the activities taken up by District Police and informed that through phase wise manner currently police is focusing on three villages under Mariyang sub-division and accordingly, constant vigilance and monitoring is being done by the police team.
ADC Mariyang N Borang also spoke on use of creative arts to raise awareness on drug abuse, adding that art plays a crucial role in voicing out inherent messages. He also assured “full” support to the Police department from the local administration’s side to fight against the menace of drugs.
Meanwhile, DMO Dr Gepeng Litin while speaking on the condition of District De-addiction Centre, Yingkiong, pointed out the need for separate centres for women for their convenience and safety.
DDSE Duhon Tekseng also told the house that from time to time anti-drugs campaigns are carried out in schools to educate students and teachers.
DD ICDS (Yingkiong) Ine Pertin stated that Aganwadi workers and helpers have been instructed to carry out awareness programs in their respective villages, while the DAO stated that awareness has been created among farmers to adopt alternative farming activities. (DIPRO)