Immediate action against the sale of drugs within 100 yards of educational institutions and the installation of ‘No Tobacco Zone’ boards in all school campuses have been ordered as key directives emerging from the Narcotics Coordination Committee (NCORD) meeting held at the Collectorate Auditorium, Jamshedpur. The meeting was chaired by District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal, with a strong focus on safeguarding youth from the dangers of drug abuse.
The meeting witnessed the presence of Senior Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal, ADM (Law and Order) Aniket Sachan, SDM Dhalbhum Shatabdi Majumdar, SDM Ghatsila Sunil Chandra, and officials from departments such as Education, Social Welfare, Drug Control, Agriculture, Municipal Corporations, and Legal Services.
Education department officials were directed to hold meetings with principals of all private and government schools at police station levels. The focus is to integrate anti-drug awareness into parent-teacher meetings and launch a three-month-long intensive awareness campaign across all educational institutions.
Bars and public establishments will also be required to display clear signage discouraging drug consumption, reinforcing the administration’s efforts to create a drug-free social environment.
A review of ongoing cases under the NDPS Act, and strategies to curb narcotic production, processing, and smuggling, formed a major part of the discussion. The DC instructed interdepartmental coordination to ensure swift and effective action against drug-related activities.
Medical shop operators have been directed to publicly display lists of medicines prohibited from being sold without prescription, with warnings of strict enforcement and penalties for violations.
The District Agriculture Officer has been tasked with submitting monthly reports to identify and monitor areas suspected of illegal drug cultivation. Surveillance on inter-district and inter-state trafficking routes will be stepped up in coordination with law enforcement.
The meeting also called for launching a Drug Control Helpline, enabling the general public to share information anonymously. Provisions for counseling services for addicts and their families and linking rehabilitated individuals with government schemes and self-employment opportunities through rehabilitation centers were also discussed.
Officials present included the District Social Welfare Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Superintendent of Education, Assistant Municipal Commissioners from Jamshedpur, Mango, and Jugsalai, Drug Inspector, and DLSA representative, reflecting a collective approach to combat the drug menace.
The District Magistrate reiterated that tackling drug abuse requires not only enforcement but community engagement, education, and rehabilitation, urging all stakeholders to take sustained and coordinated action.
