Sham admin steps up anti-drug campaign, asks departments to intensify awareness

DC Kunzes calls for coordinated drive to make every Village Drug-Free

KHALTSI: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sham, Kunzes Angmo (JKAS) on Friday directed departments to intensify anti-drug awareness campaigns across schools, colleges and villages, while emphasising coordinated action to achieve the objective of making every village in the district free from drug abuse.

Chairing a review meeting on Drug Menace and Preventive Measures at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Khaltsi, the DC assessed the progress made on decisions taken during the previous meeting held on June 12 and reviewed the implementation of measures aimed at preventing substance abuse and strengthening public awareness across the district.

Emphasising that the fight against drug abuse requires a collective response, Kunzes Angmo called for close coordination among government departments, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, healthcare authorities and public representatives. She underlined the importance of community participation, sustained awareness campaigns, early identification of vulnerable groups and strict enforcement of the law, particularly to safeguard young people from substance abuse.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed all concerned departments to expand awareness programmes at the grassroots level and ensure wider outreach in educational institutions and rural communities. She also directed departments to submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs) on the implementation of decisions taken during the meeting and to strengthen preventive as well as rehabilitative interventions through coordinated efforts.

The meeting reviewed the district’s ongoing initiatives to curb drug abuse and discussed measures to improve inter-departmental coordination in tackling the issue.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sham Ajaz Malik, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Khaltsi Mohd. Sharif, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Liker Gurmet Namgail, Naib Tehsildar Attahullah, Block Development Officers, Dr. Zakir Hussain, Dr. Spalchen Gonbo, officials from concerned departments, representatives of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Sham, the Merchant Association, Khaltsi, and members of the Drug Abuse Prevention Unit attended the meeting. The meeting concluded with all stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening awareness, enforcement and community participation to advance the district’s campaign against drug abuse and work towards a drug-free Sham.