The 30th District-Level NCORD Committee meeting under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was held on July 19 under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Leh, Romil Singh Donk (IAS), at the VC Room of the DC Office.

The meeting focused on the growing concern over drug abuse in the district, particularly among the youth, and discussed the need for a multi-agency response. Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, Shruti Arora (IPS), presented a comparative analysis of drug-related data over the past three years, highlighting key trends and areas of concern.

Deputy Commissioner Donk directed all departments to compile comprehensive data on drug abuse, including patient age profiles, prevalent substances, and rehabilitation outcomes. He emphasized the urgent need to strengthen prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation mechanisms.

Dr. Padma Angmo, Consultant Psychiatrist at SNM Hospital Leh, shared alarming statistics and underlined the pressing need for dedicated mental health services, noting the shortage of psychiatrists and specialized care facilities in the region.

Chief Medical Officer Leh, Dr. Dolma Chuskit, informed the committee about ongoing awareness campaigns, while Chief Education Officer Deldan Angmo reported that student-centric sessions, including yoga and guided meditation, are being regularly held in schools. Other departmental representatives shared updates on village-level outreach activities.

Dr. Padma Angmo proposed appointing dedicated officers to help identify individuals affected by substance use and ensure timely medical intervention. SSP Arora emphasized the need for proactive information sharing beyond scheduled meetings for quicker and more effective action.

To strengthen outreach efforts, the DC instructed that monthly awareness camps be conducted in every subdivision and block, supported by the dissemination of video content. He also directed DLSA and DDSA to prepare informative PowerPoint presentations to increase the reach and impact of these campaigns.
He stressed that these efforts must expand beyond awareness to include mental health education, as psychological well-being is integral to preventing substance abuse.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from all departments to intensify anti-drug measures, integrate mental health support, and implement a coordinated district-level strategy to protect the youth of Leh.