ZIRO, OCT 29:

The Lower Subansiri district administration has called for intensified grassroots awareness and stronger inter-departmental coordination to combat substance abuse at the 24th District Level Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) Committee meeting held at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hall in Ziro.

The meeting was chaired by Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme and attended by Superintendent of Police Techi Hanyir, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Hibu Dumi and heads of various departments.

Reviewing progress since the previous meeting, the committee assessed ongoing preventive and enforcement measures, including the installation of complaint boxes in schools to enable students to report drug-related concerns.

The administration appreciated the Police Department for regularly conducting awareness programmes across the district, highlighting the importance of community participation in preventing substance abuse.

Hanyir urged all NCORD member departments to strengthen their involvement by organising independent awareness campaigns at least two to three times a month. The meeting also discussed challenges affecting enforcement, including a lack of active complainants and gaps in coordination among departments.

Calling for collective responsibility, Dumi urged all departments and stakeholders to work together to strengthen efforts against drug abuse.

The district administration reiterated its commitment to making Lower Subansiri drug-free and appealed to parents, teachers, youth groups and community elders to work closely with the authorities to protect young people from substance abuse.