Awareness program on hazards of Drug menace held at Sunderbani

RAJOURI, February 27: Drugs and Food Control Organization on Monday organized an awareness program on hazards of Drug Abuse and to propagate the message that the Government has adopted Zero Tolerance Policy against the menace, here in Sunderbani.  

The awareness Programme was attended by people from a cross section of the society, including Prominent Citizens, Students, officers of different Departments, Members of Chemists Associations of Sunderbani & Rajouri

Speaking on the occasion, Irfana Ahmed, Joint Drug Controller underlined the importance of spreading awareness to eradicate the Drug abuse menace and rein in those involved in trafficking of drugs.  “The common masses need to be made well aware about the drug abuse which is destroying our future generations” she said

Mohammad Iqbal Palla, Deputy Drug Controller, Jammu informed that Drug Control Organisation  has been organizing a series of awareness  events under the aegis of Nasha Mukat Bharat Abhiyaan to reach out the masses and spread awareness about substance abuse and drug abuse.   

He informed that the Department, in its endeavor to curb the misuse of   narcotic and psychotropic substances, has started a massive checking drive to ensure that such pharmaceutical preparations were  not stocked for sale above permissible quantity by the retail and wholesale Chemists shops.

Surinder Mohan Tikoo, Deputy Drugs Controller I/c Rajouri/Poonch said that the eradication of menace of drug abuse was a big challenge where Government alone cannot succeed unless there is community help, parental assistance and proactive role by all sections of society. He emphasized that since both the formulations which are otherwise Drug of Choice for patients suffering from severe/critical disease in their pain management have high potential for addiction and respiratory depression when misused and taken in high doses. He asked the stakeholders to ensure judicious use of such formulations and maintain complete records open for cross verification. 

Archana Mujoo, ADC (HQ) Jammu briefed the Participants about ill effects of drug menace & its effect on the society. She informed that the Department has directed all the authorized stockists dealing with such kind of formulations to strictly restrict sale and distribution of aforementioned restricted drugs for the legitimate requirements only.

Pursuant to directives issued during the meetings of NOCORD, the members of trade fraternity were impressed upon to install CCTV Cameras  & switch over to computerized system of billing for maintenance of sales  records of Drugs falling under Schedule H and H1 strictly as per mandated legal provisions.

 Rajesh Khajuria, President Chemist Association Sunderbani assured   full cooperation for the noble cause  and reiterated the commitment of the Association to make Poonch region free from the yoke of drugs and narcotics.

The programme was organized by Shaqoor Ahmed & Vikas Chander Sharma, Drug Control Officers, Poonch in collaboration with Chemist Association, Sunderbani.