Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Santosh Sukhdeve chaired the 11th meeting of the District Level Committee under the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) Mechanism at the DC mini conference hall on October 27.

Committee members presented the Action Taken Report, outlining the progress made in addressing the concerns of the NCORD mechanism.

DC Leh directed the members to organise awareness campaigns and inter-school sports competitions in schools in the month of November, following the conclusion of exams, with the assistance of the YATO club and students. He also directed the Assistant Controller of Drugs, Leh, to conduct random checks on shops and ensure that chemist shops do not sell scheduled H1 drugs without prescriptions. Chemist shops must install CCTV cameras in their establishments. He stressed the need for intensified awareness campaigns in schools to ensure strict actions against shopkeepers violating the COPTA Act, 2003.

Psychiatrist, SNM Hospital, Leh, Dr. Padma Angmo informed that Tele-mans is functional and has 10 counsellors to counsel individuals. The Information Department, is directed to prepare Information Education & Communication (IEC) materials on drugs.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, PD Nitya, added that there are approximately 15 drug-related cases in Leh and apprised the members about recent trends in Ladakh.

Various topics were addressed during the meeting, including the exchange of intelligence and information concerning drug trafficking trends. Significantly, a strong emphasis was put on promoting anti-drug abuse awareness, particularly in educational institutions such as schools and colleges, which were previously not covered. 

Furthermore, the supervision of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centres in the district also came into discussion, as the committee explored ways to enhance their effectiveness.

The meeting was attended by various officials, including Nilza Angmo, District Social Welfare Officer, Leh; Dr. Padma Angmo, Psychiatrist, SNM Hospital, Leh; CEO, Leh; Assistant Controller Drugs, Leh; Excise and Taxation Officer, Leh; Inspector Mohd Sultan, I.C Narcotic Cell District Police, Leh; a representative from ITBP Leh, and Shakeel –Ur-Rehman, SDAO, Leh.