Div Com Jammu, ADGP review action plans to tackle drug menace

JAMMU, April 5: Divisional Commissioner, Ramesh Kumar and Additional Director General of Police, Mukesh Singh reviewed measures to curb drug abuse in districts of Jammu division during a video conference meeting with all Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police held today.

During the meeting, various issues related to drug addiction were discussed, including areas of concern, age groups of addicts and hotspots of drug use. The concerned Deputy Commissioners and SSPs apprised them of the situation in their respective districts and the measures taken by the district administration to control the drug menace.

The Div Com instructed the DCs to identify drug-prone areas and launch awareness campaigns. He stressed the need for a massive awareness campaign across all districts of the division, involving people from all walks of life including school children, youth, PRI representatives, social/religious organisations and the target public. He urged for hosting symposiums, seminars and workshops in educational institutions to raise awareness about drug addiction and its ill effects on society.

During the meeting, SSPs informed about the steps taken to curb drug abuse and enforcement in their districts. They reported on the number of FIRs registered in their respective districts and informed that registration of vehicles involved in drug peddling were also cancelled and seized.

The ADGP directed the SSPs to maintain a database of all arrested drug peddlers and ensure strict surveillance in vulnerable areas. He asked them to step up vigil against drug proliferation and consumption and intensify awareness against such addictive substances.

Ramesh Kumar asked the DCs to intensify awareness campaigns across their districts.

Deputy Commissioners and SSPs gave their suggestions to curb drug abuse while Div Com, Ramesh Kumar and ADGP, Mukesh Singh directed DCs and SSPs to share their respective district’s action plans to curb the drug menace.

The Div Com stressed that hotspot areas and chemist shops should be covered with CCTV surveillance. He asked DCs to activate helpline numbers and maintain a database of calls received, actions taken and ensure resolution of each complaint received. He also asked them to review the functioning of drug de-addiction centres in their districts and ensure regular follow-up of each case. DCs were asked to involve youth clubs and organisations to complement the government’s efforts in fighting against drug abuse in their districts.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Inspector General Jammu Kathua Range, Shakti Pathak; Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Avny Lavasa; DC Kathua, Rahul Pandey; DC Samba, Anuradha Gupta; SSP Jammu, Chandan Kohli; SSP Kathua, Shivdeep Singh Jamwal; Benam Tosh, SP Narcotics Vinay Sharma while all other Deputy Commissioners along with SSPs participated in the meeting through video conferencing.