Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has made it clear that government departments and NGOs in the state must work together to combat the drug menace.
According to reports, the review meeting was convened to assess the state’s drug abuse and de-addiction plan.
Kumar went on to say that in order to combat the drug problem, the health, education, Social Justice Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA), and Tax and Narcotics agencies must all cooperate together.
“Preventive education, especially for students,” the official communiqué read, “and as the chief secretary, we need departments to create awareness on the drug menace by organising awareness programmes and workshops in schools and districts on a regular basis, starting from the worst affected districts.”
“Serious actions must be taken against the perpetrators to serve as a deterrent to other perpetrators,” he added.
Kumar urged the affected district administrations and the forest department to keep an eye on illegal opium production in their districts and protected areas.
The chief secretary also suggested that satellite photos be used to record farmed regions in mountainous or rugged terrains and take appropriate action.
The health department has been directed by the Chief Secretary to focus on the quality of service at the centres in Pasighat, Tezu, Lathao, Hayuliang, Bordumsa, Khonsa, and Aalo.