HT Correspondent
NAGAON, Sept 22: The monthly meeting of the District Level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) Committee for September convened on Friday at the conference hall of the District Commissioner’s Office in Nagaon.
Chaired by additional district commissioner Lakshya Jyoti Das, the meeting began with a comprehensive review of the progress made in implementing the decisions taken during the last NCORD meeting. The committee evaluated the work and activities undertaken by the Circle Level Committee/Task Force to address the issue of drug menace in the district.
In a bid to increase awareness about drug abuse, the Social Welfare department was urged to incorporate anti-drug messages into their ongoing programs, including Poshan Month initiatives.
A representative from the police administration reported significant achievements in combating drug-related crimes over the past week. The authorities arrested over 60 drug peddlers, registered 36 cases, and confiscated 686.33 grams of heroin, 10.704 kilograms of cannabis, and 160 bottles of cough syrup within the district.
Circle officers provided updates on the various awareness meetings and rallies they organised in their respective areas. Municipal Boards within Nagaon district were directed to establish Ward Level Committees dedicated to addressing drug abuse issues, with an emphasis on extending efforts to rural regions. Suggestions for involving college-level students in awareness campaigns through activities such as street plays and documentary screenings were discussed. The meeting also addressed the importance of creating women and child-friendly drug rehabilitation centres.
The meeting was attended by block development officers (BDOs), representatives from the health department, ASACS (Assam State AIDS Control Society), National Youth Kendra (NYK), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society representatives, and other stakeholders concerned with the issue of drug abuse.