All departments of the Jharkhand government are ready to prevent the production and consumption of drugs in the state. An orientation program has been organized today to work in this direction. In this program, the concerned departments are giving information about their action plan to prevent drug abuse, said Chief Secretary L Khiangte, in an orientation program organized for the campaign against drugs in the Project Bhawan auditorium here on Wednesday.

Khiangte said that the production and consumption of drugs in the state is a stigma. We have to erase this stigma. There is a need to focus on schools and colleges. Every person in the society will also have to play an important role in the direction of its prevention.

While addressing the program, Principal Secretary, Home, Prison and Disaster Management Department, Vandana Dadel said that Jharkhand has always been under the scanner for opium production. Its production and consumption have increased. Many times, the High Court has taken cognizance and directed action. According to Jharkhand Police, about 2,024 cases have been reported in the last five years, while about 4,949 people have been arrested in the said cases. Action is being taken through the Anti-Narcotics Task Force.

Opium production and consumption has been recorded the most in Chatra, Palamu, Latehar and Ranchi. Long-term plans have been prepared to solve this problem. She said that the biggest challenge before the education department is to make all schools and colleges drug-free zones. At the same time, the Social Welfare Department has to work for rehabilitation and there is a need to build counselling centers.

DGP Ajay Kumar Singh said that there is information about large-scale opium production in some districts of Jharkhand. Efforts are being made to prevent opium production in those districts. NCB and Crime Investigation Department are working together in this direction.

Principal Secretary, Health Department Ajoy Kumar said that the Health Department is serious about preventing drug abuse in the state. Work will be done in this direction by coordinating with all the departments.

Principal Secretary of Higher and Technical Education Department Rahul Purwar said that work is being done to prevent the ill effects of drugs among students. An action plan has been prepared for awareness around educational institutions. Awareness programs will be run in collaboration with law students.

Manoj Kumar, Secretary, School Education and Literacy Department said that due to availability of drugs and lack of awareness, cases of drug addiction are being seen among children studying in schools and colleges. There is a need to run awareness programs in this direction. Therefore, awareness programs will be run through various activities from June 19 to June 26 and many programs will be organized on World Anti-Drug Day on June 26.

Manoj Kumar, Secretary, Women and Child Development and Social Security Department said that cases of drug consumption are a matter of concern for the state and various programs have been designed to prevent it. NCORD committee has been formed at the district level in each district and a committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary at the state level. Anti-Narcotics Task Force has been formed.

Zonal Director of Narcotics Control Bureau, Abhishek Anand, highlighted the functioning of the Narcotics Control Bureau through a presentation.

Representatives of various NGOs expressed their views in the program and also described the need for civil society organizations for the prevention of drugs as important.

DG CID Anurag Gupta, several officials of the police department, several officials from various departments, representatives of several voluntary organizations and many other dignitaries were present in the program.