Patiala News:ADC reviews efforts being taken to prevent drugs in hotspot areas under the War on Drugs campaign
-Directions to further intensify treatment, rehabilitation and awareness activities for drug addicts, along with stopping the supply of drugs
Patiala Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Anuprita Johal reviewed the efforts being made to prevent drugs in the hotspot areas of the district and the performance of various departments under the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign being run by the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. During a meeting with all SDMs, DSPs and officers of other concerned departments, she said that to make this campaign successful, all the departments should work with full dedication in coordination with each other and no laxity should be allowed at any level.
ADC said that in Patiala district, 20 areas have been identified as hot spots in view of drug sales and other drug-related activities, where a continuous campaign is being run to prevent drugs as well as to create awareness among the people. He said that in order to make the places where drugs were consumed in these areas usable again, steps like improving the infrastructure, installing CCTV cameras, making proper arrangements for lighting and identifying the illegal properties of drug smugglers and taking action as per the legal process are being taken.
Anuprita Johal directed the officials to hold regular public meetings in the hotspot areas and identify the civic problems faced by the people and resolve them on priority basis. Along with this, the participation of Village Raksha Committees and local residents should be ensured, so that the movement against drugs can be further strengthened with the cooperation of the people.
Stressing on the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts, the ADC directed the Health Department to identify drug addicts in hot spot areas, get them screened and, as per the requirement, get them admitted for treatment in drug de-addiction centres, rehabilitation centres and OOAT clinics. He also directed for regular follow-up and monitoring of the persons under treatment till the completion of treatment.
ADC Johal also asked for intensifying the inspection of medical stores, taking strict legal action against those involved in illegal sale of banned medicines and strictly enforcing the ban on sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of educational institutions.
The Education Department was asked to conduct awareness programmes against drugs in schools, colleges and hotspot areas along with ensuring active participation of students, parents and general public. He also directed to promote anti-drug awareness activities through NCC and NSS and all departments to regularly review their performance.