PASIGHAT, Aug 27: East Siang Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani has called for intensified and coordinated action by all stakeholders to curb drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances in the district.
Chairing the 24th District-Level NCORD meeting here on Thursday, the Deputy Commissioner reviewed the Action Taken Report on key issues and directions issued during the previous meeting and directed concerned departments to strengthen enforcement and preventive measures.
Jiwani stressed the need for surprise drug testing in schools, police establishments and major Govt departments as a preventive measure. The District Medical Officer informed that surprise testing drives had already been initiated in rural areas through 13 health centres, with 950 drug-testing kits distributed for the purpose.
The meeting also reviewed the functioning of rehabilitation centres. The DMO informed that formal action had been initiated against three centres — Beta Life Care at 5 Mile, Living Clean Adam at Ruksin, and William Home Foundation at Rayang—for allegedly operating without valid registration and licence in violation of prescribed SOPs and guidelines.
The meeting was further informed that the previously closed “Vision of Hope” centre near VKV Joram was reportedly operating clandestinely without the requisite registration and licence. The DC directed authorities to take immediate action against illegal rehabilitation centres and ensure strict compliance with prescribed norms.
Reviewing enforcement against illegal liquor and other prohibited substances, the Superintendent of Tax & Excise was directed to intensify action against shops selling unauthorised liquor, tobacco products and other prohibited substances. During the month, six show-cause notices were issued and 201 bottles/cans of beer, 24 Breezers and five IMFL items were seized.
The meeting also discussed rehabilitation and skill-development initiatives for recovering persons. Four de-addiction centres reported 12 persons undergoing recovery, eight of whom completed their courses during the month. The Department of Industries informed that 19 recovering persons had expressed interest in skill-development training, including computer and data entry, mushroom cultivation and electrician training.
The DC directed the department to place the issue of skill development and employment opportunities for recovering persons before the forthcoming inter-departmental DDR meeting and coordinate with other departments for employment generation through Govt schemes.
Police and Tax & Excise officials were also directed to continue intensive patrolling and joint checking of vulnerable areas, late-night clubs, DJs and bars and take strict legal action against violators.
As part of the drug-demand reduction and awareness campaign, awareness programmes were conducted across the district, including a programme on drug addiction at Apex Professional University under the “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat” campaign.
Since the previous NCORD meeting, one NDPS case involving four accused has been registered in the district, with heroin reported as the substance involved.
The DC said the NCORD mechanism was moving in the right direction and called upon all stakeholders to further strengthen coordination and enforcement to effectively combat drug abuse and prevent the illegal sale of addictive substances in East Siang. (DIPRO)