Chandigarh, November 18: Determined about rooting out drugs in the state and personally taking command of it, Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal presided over the third meeting of the State Level Committee of Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) today and directed the officials that not only the police but all the concerned departments would have to work together to eradicate the menace of drugs. Home and Health Minister Sh. Anil Vij was also present in the meeting.

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the drugs have not only become an interstate menace but also an international problem. “Many types of financial transactions are linked to drug cases. Beside strict police action on drug smugglers by putting them behind the bars, their properties will also have to be seized. In Haryana, the properties of smugglers have been demolished at many places recently,” he added.

Haryana government taking stern steps for de-addiction

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Sh. Amit Shah is working vigorously to make India drug free and the Haryana government is also taking stern steps in this regard. He said that drug smuggling also poses a threat to national security and for this all the departments will have to coordinate and run awareness campaigns as well as strict action have to be taken against the culprits.

Mapping of de-addiction centers should be done in the state

While giving directions, the Chief Minister said that from time to time, the government receives information about intoxicants made available at the de-addiction centers and thus to keep a close vigil on this; all the drug de-addiction centers in the state, whether government or those being run through non-governmental organizations, should be mapped and the data of the patients who came here for treatment should be analysed by conducting a survey by December 31.

Appeal to citizens – ‘Apprehend drug addicts, Get rid of drugs’

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the slogan of the Haryana government is “Tu Nischay toh kar, Nasha Pakadwao, Nasha Chhutwao” (Make up your mind, apprehend the drug addicts, get rid of the drugs) and for this, anti-drug helpline number - 9050891508 has also been issued. The Chief Minister directed that this number should be publicised at public places as well as on the Haryana Transport buses; so that the common people can be made aware and every citizen can join the campaign of the state government. He also appealed to the citizens to immediately share any information received about drug smuggling or use of drugs to the police; as it is very important to break the chain of demand and supply for the eradication of drugs.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to make the society especially the youth aware by running a special awareness campaign on the drugs menace and diseases caused by it and its adverse effects in the society. Not only this, the students in schools, colleges and universities should be administered an e-pledge against the drugs.

Along with police, health department will also have to be stern: Sh. Anil Vij

Home and Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that along with the police, the health department will also have to be strict and at the time of post-mortem, if the cause of death is found to be drug overdose; it will have to be confirmed and for this, the opinion of a medico-legal consultant should also be taken.

He said that the problems being faced at the de-addiction, rehabilitation and counselling centers being run on the basis of pilot project in Sonipat; should be resolved and ensure that such problems do not arise in the six centers being set up at the divisional level. Also, suggestions should be taken from the representatives of the Medical Association.

Chief Secretary. Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal informed the Chief Minister that instructions have been issued to inspect de-addiction centers and duties have been imposed on all the sub-divisional officers (civil) to inspect de-addiction centers in their respective districts. They have also been directed to take stock of the facilities being provided along with its functioning and submit the action taken report to the headquarters.

Haryana ensured better implementation of schemes at grassroots level

During the meeting, Sh. Gyaneshwar Singh, Deputy Director General, NCB, Delhi appreciated the efforts being made by Haryana for drug prevention. He said that Haryana has ensured better implementation of schemes at the grassroots level by including most of the parameters in its action plan. He also recommended the Home Department to submit an action plan soon to enhance the forensic capacity of the state.

Mission teams being prepared from village-ward to state level, 45,000 citizens also part of the teams

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau, Sh. Shrikant Jadhav informed that according to the state action plan, mission teams are being prepared from village-ward to the state level for drug prevention. The main objective of these teams is to trace drug addicts, enter their data in the mobile application, counselling such people and making various efforts for their rehabilitation and spreading awareness.

He informed that out of 7,590 village teams, 2,584 teams have been formed so far. Similarly, 635 teams have been formed at ward level, 190 teams at primary health centers and 44 teams at subdivision level. Apart from this, a separate team will be formed in each district for instructions and monitoring. A total of 10 people have been added to each team. Out of about 95,000 people, 45,000 are common citizens.

He further said that last year 84 deaths were registered due to overdose of drugs, out of which most of the deaths were of youth in the age group of 18 to 35 years. He informed that the ‘Sathi’ mobile app will be launched soon by the bureau.

Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Sh. D.S. Dhesi, Additional Chief Secretary of Home Department, Sh. TVSN Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary of Finance Department, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Director General of Police, Sh. P.K Aggarwal, Director General Prisons, Sh. Mohammad Akil, ADGP CID Sh. Alok Mittal, Director of Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Sh. R.S Dhillon and officials of other concerned departments were present.