YUPIA, AUG 28:
The District-Level Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) Committee reviewed measures for prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation of substance abuse in Papum Pare during its monthly meeting held at the DC Conference Hall here on Friday.
The meeting was chaired by Papum Pare ADC Tame Yajum, who reviewed the directives issued during previous meetings and the Action Taken Reports submitted by concerned departments.
Yajum emphasised the need for regular drug testing of staff working in rehabilitation centres and students belonging to high-risk categories in schools and colleges. She also called for regular inspections of shops and gumtis in and around educational institutions to prevent the sale of tobacco products to children and youth.
She directed the Trade and Development, Tax and Excise, Narcotics and Health departments to coordinate and conduct joint monthly inspections around school premises to ensure effective enforcement and restrict access to tobacco and other harmful substances.
Papum Pare DMO Reena Ronya informed the committee that drug testing is being undertaken as part of the 30-Day Integrated Health Programme in villages. The programme will continue until March 31, 2027, with the District Health Society conducting tests and compiling reports for monitoring and necessary action.
Ronya also urged rehabilitation centres to submit monthly reports on admissions, discharges and the number of inmates to enable the district administration and health authorities to monitor rehabilitation activities and provide appropriate support.
She further stressed the need to increase awareness and utilisation of Tele-MANAS, the tele-mental health counselling service, among inmates of rehabilitation centres. She highlighted that the service maintains the privacy and confidentiality of those seeking counselling.
Hope Rehabilitation Centre Managing Director Tadar Hania highlighted difficulties faced by rehabilitation centres in obtaining health cards and mental health-related documentation under the applicable mental healthcare provisions. He requested the committee to explore an appropriate mechanism for facilitating the issuance of mental health cards and related certification.
The meeting was attended by DySP Phassang Simi, members of the Anti-Narcotics Coordination Team (ANCoT) and representatives of rehabilitation centres in Papum Pare.
