PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Uttarkashi
While reiterating the Uttarkashi district administration’s commitment to making the district drug-free, the district magistrate Prashant Arya ordered the Forest and the Revenue departments to jointly conduct raids in remote and sensitive areas. He said that complaints are being received about the cultivation of illegal crops like opium, hashish and marijuana in the hilly and remote areas of the district, and eradicating them is a priority for the administration. “To achieve this, the departments will need to take consistent action in coordination,” he added.
The DM also assigned important responsibilities to the Education and the Health departments in this matter. He directed that regular medical checkup camps be held in schools and colleges to identify young people falling prey to drug addiction early. He also directed that special campaigns be launched to raise awareness among students about the ill effects of drug abuse. “The society, family and the administration must work together to free the youth from the curse of substance addiction,” he said.
Stating that the Manas helpline number 1933 has been issued for drug prevention, counselling, and reporting suspicious activity, he urged people to report about drug trafficking, illegal cultivation or drug abuse on this number. “The identity of the informant will be kept confidential,” he said.
Arya further stated that specialist psychiatrists and trained counsellors have been appointed at the district hospital for the treatment and rehabilitation of those affected by drug addiction. “Those who wish to quit will be provided with appropriate counselling, treatment, and psychological support. If any family or individual is struggling with a drug problem, they should take advantage of the government assistance instead of hiding it,” the DM added.
