DC, SSP hold meeting to review fight against drugs

Giving a call to intensify the fight against drugs, Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal and Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Tura held a high-level meeting with all the SDMs and DSPs besides other officials. Panchal said in order to run the campaign more effectively, SDMs and DSPs should prepare a plan at the sub-division level and submit it by March 3.

He said social service organisations, religious leaders, sports clubs etc may play an important role in the fight against drugs, for which a people’s movement should be launched.

Panchal directed the SDMs and DSPs to visit the rehabilitation and OAAT (Out-patient Opioid Assisted Treatment) centres in their sub-divisions and said a report regarding the facilities being provided to the patients at the centresshould be sent to his office.

To create awareness, the DC directed the officials to organise awareness camps to highlight the harmful effects of drugs. He stressed that active participation of society was essential to create a drug-free society. Panchal directed officials to run more skill development courses at rehabilitation centres. He said vocational training will be provided to make the patients self-reliant.

A close watch should be kept on private drug de-addiction centres so that there is no exploitation of the patients, said the DC.

Panchal also said that the awareness campaign against drugs should be intensified in senior secondary schools and colleges.

SSP Toora said public cooperation is essential for the eradication of drugs and calls for joint efforts by the civil and police administration to break the supply line of drugs and eliminate demand.