Call for collective efforts to protect youth, students from drugs

District Collector Sumit Kumar on Wednesday (March 25) called for collective efforts to protect youth and students from the menace of drugs, stressing that safeguarding them is vital for the nation’s future.

The Collector chaired a district-level NCORD (Narcotics Coordination Centre) review meeting along with Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi at the Collectorate here on Wednesday to assess anti-narcotics measures and awareness programmes.

The Collector directed officials to conduct extensive awareness campaigns at ZP high schools under the supervision of RDOs and DSPs at the cluster level. He emphasised educating students in schools and colleges about the legal consequences of substance abuse and the importance of involving NGOs in prevention efforts. Strict action was ordered against those illegally supplying tobacco products to students.

He also instructed heightened vigilance along district borders and focused monitoring in sensitive divisions like Nagari and Kuppam. As part of preventive measures, CCTV cameras worth ₹2 lakh will be installed at 25 ZP high schools within a week.

The SP said a comprehensive action plan would be implemented to curb drug abuse and urged all departments to work in coordination with one another to make the district drug-free. He highlighted the importance of raising awareness on the toll-free Eagle helpline (1972) and preventing ganja cultivation at the grassroots level.

Officials from various departments attended the meeting.