Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh TVSN Prasad today directed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendent of Police ….
Haryana to launch a month long state-wide extensive campaign against Drug Menace- CS TVSN Prasad
Action taken against 102 habitual offenders and crime proceeds valued at Rs 48.34 crore confiscated
14 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) to be established at various district hospitals across Haryana- CS
Chandigarh July 8:
Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh TVSN Prasad today directed all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendent of Police (SPs) to launch a month long state-wide extensive campaign to tighten noose around those involved in drug peddling in the State.
While presiding over the 8th State Level Committee Meeting of Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) here today, he called for coordinated efforts of Civil and Police administration, Health, Social Welfare and Education Departments for the success of this campaign. All the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police attended the meeting through video conference.
The Haryana Chief Secretary directed the senior civil and police functionaries to diligently discharge their duties towards achieving State Government’s vision of making Haryana, a drug free State. Emphasizing the need of further strengthen the system to gather information, he directed the Deputy Commissioners to hold regular meetings with the head of educational institutions to protect the youth from falling in the clutches of drugs.
Haryana Chief Secretary, Sh Prasad directed that the Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) will carry out surprise inspection at the drug de-addictions centers in their respective districts. Beside this, he also announced to form a working group headed by Additional Chief Secretary, Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and Antyodaya (SEWA) Department Smt G. Anupama to maintain coordination with all stakeholder departments and to ensure effective implementation of various programs against the drug menace.
It was informed in the meeting that during first six months of the year 2024, as many as 1653 cases have been registered under NDPS Act and 2196 arrested. Similarly, 164 cases of Commercial Quantity have been registered and 258 arrested. Additionally, 428 persons have been convicted in NDPS cases decided and 8 orders of preventive detention have been passed under PIT-NDPS Act. Apart from this, 12 kg heroin, 69 kg charas, 3440 kg ganja, 130 kg opium, 6616 kg poppy straw and 1,64,790 pharmaceutical drugs have also been seized during this period. Also, action has been taken against 102 habitual offenders and crime proceeds valued at Rs 48.34 crore confiscated.
It was informed that the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MOSJE) has sanctioned 14 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) to be established at various district hospitals across Haryana. Two of these ATFs have already been set up in Bahadurgarh district Jhajjar, and Tohana district Fatehabad under this scheme.
To address the shortage of psychiatrists in the state, 38 medical officers have completed a six-month online de-addiction training program from the Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER Chandigarh. Additionally, a proposal is under consideration to appoint 148 counselors/social workers at the Community Health Center (CHC) level to further bolster mental health and de-addiction services.
It was further informed that monthly visits by District Mental Health Teams to schools, colleges, and jails are being conducted to spread awareness. The Haryana Prisons Department, under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction has successfully established and operated 15 Drug De-addiction Centers across 15 jails in Haryana over the past year. These centers have made significant strides in addressing drug addiction among inmates.
In the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and Regional Forensic Science Laboratories (RFSL), 13 vacant posts of Lab Assistants have been filled through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN). Additionally, 87 posts of Senior Scientific Assistants (SSAs) and Scientific Assistants (SAs) have been advertised through HKRN, with the recruitment process ongoing. A total of 70 students from various universities are interning at FSL/RFSL for up to six months. The state also proposes to establish a K9 Breeding-cum-Training Centre in Kurukshetra.
To ensure the effective prosecution of drug-related cases, the cases registered under the NDPS Act involving commercial quantities have been categorized as “Chinhit Appradh”. District Attorneys (DAs) in all districts and commissionerates are monitoring the trials of such cases to ensure convictions.
A committee has been constituted to develop a periodic rating system for Drug De-addiction Centers in the state. The rating system has been formulated and is under approval. An SOP to ensure the appointment of psychiatrists in each drug de-addiction center has been prepared and sent to the Health Department.
Officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Health Department are deliberating on various apps and measures to track drug addicts undergoing treatment. The PRAYAS and SATHI apps are being updated to include tracking details. Additionally, the Health Department of Punjab’s Drug De-addiction Registry Portal is also being studied for potential adoption.
School Education Department Initiatives
The School Education Department of Haryana has intensified its efforts to combat the menace of drugs among students. Directions have been issued to all District Education Officers (DEOs) and District Elementary Education Officers (DEEOs) to ensure that awareness activities are conducted regularly to address this critical issue.
To strengthen these efforts, 9306 Prahari Clubs have been established in various schools across the state. These clubs are responsible for monitoring the school vicinity and identifying students at risk, playing a crucial role in early intervention and prevention.
Additionally, reports on tobacco-free educational institutes, provided by the respective DEOs and DEEOs, are being shared directly with the concerned department. This initiative aims to promote a healthier and drug-free environment in schools, ensuring the well-being and safety of students.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home Sh Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes and Antyodaya (SEWA) Smt G. Anupama, Director General of Police Sh Shatrujeet Kapur, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) CID Sh Alok Mittal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Smt Ashima Brar, Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department Sh Mandip Singh Brar, Excise and Taxation Commissioner Sh Ashok Kumar Meena and other senior officers of Health, Education, Prisons Department were also present in the meeting.