Advisor Ladakh, Umang Narula chaired the 2nd State Level meeting of the Narco Coordination Center (NCORD) on December 9.

The concerned officials from various departments apprised the Advisor about the Action Taken Report (ATR) as per the directions given in the 1st State level meeting of NCORD viz monitoring of drug situation in the UT; implementation of National Policy on NDPS; monitoring of district level NCORD meetings; establishment of de-addiction and rehab centres; promoting anti-drug awareness and preparing a plan for mass awareness drives, among others.

Advisor Narula stated that setting up de-addiction centers in Ladakh is imperative and instructed both DCs to identify spaces on an immediate basis. He stressed the need for capacity building and training programmes for existing NGOs and officials to well equip them to deal compassionately and professionally with this problem.

ADGP, Ladakh, S S Khandare apprised the Advisor that hiring of technical and non-technical manpower for the newly sanctioned Ladakh Forensic Science laboratory is already underway through National Forensic Science University, Gujarat and equipment shall also be procured from the same. He assured that the Forensic Science Laboratory shall be functional by April 2023.
Commissioner/ Secretary, Higher Education Department, Padma Angmo outlined the salient features of District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE). Broadly the role of DDACs is to provide services for identification of individuals with harmful use and dependence of any substance, motivational counseling, detoxification/de-addiction treatment, aftercare and reintegration into the social mainstream. She highlighted the need for a robust survey on drug abuse in Ladakh to understand its causes on a deeper level.

Secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, Ladakh, Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan apprised the Advisor that installation of anti-drug signages is already in process in hotels, bars, tourist places, etc, and shall be fully implemented by March 2023.

Director Health Services, Dr. Motup Dorje apprised that 60 ASHAs were trained in Tobacco and Narcotics control practices.

Further, with regard to training programmes for Ladakh Police, it was informed that 120 officials were given online and offline training on the investigation of narcotic cases.
Additionally, Zonal Director, NCB Jammu, Rajesh Kumar gave a detailed presentation on NCORD portal and NIDAAN (National Integrated Database about All Narco-offenders).

Concluding the meeting, Advisor Narula reiterated the need for sustained awareness campaigns against drug abuse and outreach programmes and instructed all stakeholders to conduct more drives in schools, colleges, etc. He impressed upon the officials to tap into all available resources to effectively attain the goal of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.

The meeting was also attended by Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education, Dept, Ladakh; Principal Secretary, Urban School/ Education, Dept, Ladakh; DCs Leh/Kargil; DIG, Ladakh; Additional Secretary, Home Dept; Assistant Controller Drugs, Ladakh and other concerned officials.

Photo Caption: During the 2nd State Level meeting of the Narco Coordination Center (NCORD).