Ladakh admin directs DCs to identify land for setting up de-addiction centres
Concerned over the problem of drug abuse, the UT administration of Ladakh has asked the deputy commissioners of two districts–Leh and Kargil –to identify spaces on immediate basis for setting up de-addiction centres in the region.
The administration has also decided to make the Forensic Science Laboratory fully functional by April next year.
Chairing the second State Level meeting of the Narco Coordination Center (NCORD), Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula observed that setting up de-addiction centers in Ladakh was imperative and instructed both DCs to identify spaces on an immediate basis.
He stressed the need for capacity building and training programmes for existing NGOs and officials to well equip them to deal compassionately and professionally with this problem.
Advisor Narula also reiterated the need for sustained awareness campaigns against drug abuse and outreach programmes and instructed all stakeholders to conduct more drives in schools, colleges, etc.
During the meeting, the concerned officials from various departments apprised the Advisor about the Action Taken Report (ATR) as per the directions given in the 1st State Level meeting of NCORD viz monitoring of drug situation in the UT; implementation of National Policy on NDPS; monitoring of district level NCORD meetings; establishment of de-addiction and rehab centres; promoting anti-drug awareness and preparing a plan for mass awareness drives, among others.
The ADGP, Ladakh, S S Khandare apprised the Advisor that hiring of technical and non-technical manpower for the newly sanctioned Ladakh Forensic Science laboratory was already underway through National Forensic Science University, Gujarat and equipment would also be procured from the same.
In a detailed presentation, Commissioner/ Secretary, Higher Education Department, Padma Angmo outlined the salient features of District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE).
Broadly the role of DDACs was to provide services for identification of individuals with harmful use and dependence of any substance, motivational counseling, detoxification/de-addiction treatment, aftercare and reintegration into the social mainstream.
She highlighted the need for a robust survey on drug abuse in Ladakh to understand its causes on a deeper level.
Secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, Ladakh, Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan apprised the Advisor that installation of anti-drug signages is already in process in hotels, bars, tourist places, etc, and shall be fully implemented by March 2023.
Further, with regard to training programmes for Ladakh Police, it was informed that 120 officials were given online and offline training on the investigation of narcotic cases.
