Panel reviews steps to curb drug menace
A district-level committee under the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) met here today to review steps being taken to curb the drug menace in the district.
During the meeting, the district administration asked principals of schools and colleges to prepare a fortnightly calendar of activities aimed at creating awareness about harmful effects of drugs with the goal of making Punjab a drug-free state.
It was suggested to organise plays, dramas, skits or other activities to make young people aware of hazards of drugs. Schools, colleges and nodal officers will be recognised and awarded on October 2 for effectively spreading awareness.
The authorities also asked them to share daily pictures and videos of their activities.
They were also urged to involve health and police officials in the activities to provide information on treatment options (OOAT centres), rehabilitation centres and law-enforcement action against drug abuse. The objective was to turn the anti-drug campaign into a mass awareness programme.
ADC Amit Sarin directed the principals to arrange visits for 50 students from government schools to the office of the DBEE as well as enrolling them in the I-Aspire and future tycoon programmes, being run by the administration.
He also instructed the health authorities to ensure that prohibited drugs were not sold by any chemist, and tobacco products should not be sold within 100 m of educational institutions.
The participants were also told that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had recently launched an anti-drug helpline and WhatsApp chatbot (9779100200), where anyone can report activities of drug peddlers.
