Senior police official calls for coordinated efforts to make the district drug-free

The network of narcotic drugs, their sale, and consumption is expanding rapidly, and all officials must work together to curb the supply of drugs and make the district drug-free, said Additional Superintendent of Police Nagesh.

“In the past, liquor used to be sold on the outskirts of villages, but today it is being sold within the village itself. If the network of narcotic drugs and their sale is not brought under control, it may soon reach our own homes. The public must be aware of its harmful effects and remain vigilant,” he warned, while presiding over the district-level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) committee meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mysuru on November 28.

Pointing out that drug consumption is rising among college students and affecting them adversely, he said officials from the Department of Collegiate Education, Department of Public Instruction, and Department of Pre-University Education must conduct awareness programmes for students and educate them about the dangers of drug abuse. “CCTV cameras should be installed around college premises to monitor student movement, and banners highlighting the harmful effects of drugs should be displayed around campuses,” he advised.

Officials of the Social Welfare Department must install CCTV cameras around boys’ and girls’ hostels and conduct regular inspections. Awareness programmes on drug abuse must be organised for hostel students. “If anyone is found moving around suspiciously near hostels, the police must be informed immediately,” he said. Reports of awareness programmes conducted in hostels must also be submitted to senior officials, he said.

District Health and Family Welfare Department officials should visit and inspect all hospitals under their jurisdiction. Hospitals, he said, must conduct awareness programmes for the public on controlling drug abuse.

Surprise inspections of medical stores

While asking the drug control authorities to ensure that medical stores do not illegally supply drugs, he directed them to take action against drug regulation, maintain a list of medical stores under their jurisdiction, and carry out surprise inspections and submit reports.

The Forest and Agriculture Departments must inspect villages and hamlets on the forest fringes to identify any cultivation of ganja (cannabis) and report the findings to the police. They must also conduct awareness programmes in these hamlets on the harmful effects of drugs, he instructed.

Surprise inspections must be carried out at the Central Prison and sub-jails in Mysuru district. Awareness programmes should be organised for inmates, and necessary measures must be taken to ensure that narcotics do not enter the prisons.

Mr. Nagesh also appealed to the heads of NGOs to alert the police if they come across information about drug supply. Measures must also be put in place to prevent the sale of drugs in medical and engineering colleges.

Officials of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Department must monitor parcel consignments, and if they detect drug trafficking through parcels, they must coordinate with the police to conduct raids, take necessary action, and submit reports, he said.

The meeting was attended by district-level officials of various departments.