PASIGHAT, 30 Jul: East Siang DC (i/c) Pebika Lego directed immediate closure of rehabilitation centres violating the prescribed SOPs.

Chairing a meeting of the NCORD Committee here on Wednesday, Lego also instructed the Tax & Excise and the Police Departments to conduct regular joint inspections and initiate stringent action against repeat offenders involved in the illegal sale of liquor, tobacco and narcotic substances.

She further directed the authorities to take strict action against bars and late-night DJ establishments found violating the prescribed rules.

Emphasising the importance of “sustainable rehabilitation,” Lego urged the Industries Department to coordinate with other departments and stakeholders to facilitate employment opportunities and social reintegration of recovering addicts. She also urged the Women against Social Evils to coordinate with line departments in eliminating all illegal social activities in the district.

The meeting was attended by members of the district NCORD Committee and representatives of stakeholder departments.

It was informed that the monitoring committee, led by SDO (J) Makbul Siram, inspected all seven de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in the district and recommended the temporary closure of three private rehabilitation centres for non-compliance with the prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The participants were also informed that the assistant commissioner-cum-town magistrate has directed nine educational institutions to ensure strict compliance with the ToFEI guidelines and the provisions of the COTP Act.

The Police Department reported that joint enforcement drives were conducted in coordination with the district administration and the Tax & Excise Department against illegal sale of liquor, tobacco and narcotic substances. During the month, several raids and inspection drives resulted in the seizure of Indian made foreign liquor, beer and Breezer from different parts of the district.

The Industries Department informed that recovering addicts are being provided vocational and skill development training in computer applications, mushroom cultivation and electrician trades to facilitate their rehabilitation. During the month, one recovering addict was reintegrated into society, while 16 inmates completed their rehabilitation programme.

In Lower Subansiri district, Assistant Commissioner Radhe Tatung chaired an NCORD Committee meeting in headquarters Ziro on Thursday, in the presence of Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC) Hibu Dumi and Deputy Superintendent of Police Lod Tari.

A major focus of the meeting was the implementation of proactive measures to protect the youths from substance abuse. The committee recommended providing sports equipment through zilla members to keep young people constructively engaged. To build strong community-level resistance, mandatory participation was called for from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), and community-based organisations (CBOs).

Furthermore, the committee highlighted the rollout of the NavChetna awareness module in local schools to educate students early about the dangers of drugs.

Financial sustainability for anti-drug initiatives was another key area of discussion. District Medical Officer Dr Millo Kunya emphasised the need to back ground-level NGOs with formal financial support. Echoing this need, ZPC Dumi pointed out that personal financial assistance has its limits, and urged every government department to contribute funds to the cause. She also endorsed a targeted, zone-wise strategy to concentrate resources and efforts on one zilla area at a time for maximum impact.

Taking a comprehensive approach to law enforcement and rehabilitation, Child Development Project Officer Takhe Rinyo stressed that counselling efforts must extend to drug peddlers in addition to victims and patients to break the supply chain and reduce reoffending. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve among all departments to conduct weekly awareness campaigns, ensure tight inter-agency coordination, and work relentlessly towards a drug-free Lower Subansiri district. (DIPROs)