YUPIA, Aug 28: The District-Level NCORD Coordination Committee convened its monthly meeting at the DC’s conference hall here today to review measures for prevention, detection, treatment and rehabilitation of substance abuse in Papum Pare district.
Chairing the meeting, ADC Tame Yajum reviewed the directives issued during previous meetings and the Action Taken Reports (ATRs) submitted by the concerned departments.
The ADC 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 stressed the need for regular checking of shops and ghumtis in and around school premises to prevent the sale of tobacco products in these areas.
She directed the concerned officers of the Trade & Development, Tax & Excise, Narcotics and Health departments to coordinate closely and conduct joint monthly inspections in and around school premises to ensure effective enforcement of the relevant provisions and prevent access to tobacco and other harmful substances among children and youth.
Papum Pare DMO Dr Reena Ronya informed the committee that regular drug testing is also being undertaken as part of the 30-Day Integrated Health Programme conducted in villages. The programme will continue up to 31 March 2027, during which the District Health Society will conduct drug testing and compile the reports for further monitoring and necessary action.
The DMO further requested rehabilitation centres to submit monthly reports on admissions, discharges and the number of inmates housed in the centres. She stated that regular reporting would enable the district administration and health authorities to maintain an updated assessment of rehabilitation activities and extend appropriate support wherever required.
She also called for greater awareness and utilisation of Tele-MANAS, the tele-mental health counselling service, among inmates of rehabilitation centres. She highlighted that the service protects the privacy and confidentiality of persons seeking counselling, thereby encouraging individuals to seek professional assistance without hesitation.
Tadar Hania, Managing Director, Hope Rehabilitation Centre, highlighted challenges faced by rehabilitation centres in obtaining health cards and mental health-related documentation under the applicable provisions of the Mental Healthcare framework. He requested the DMO and members of the committee to consider facilitating the formation of an appropriate board or competent mechanism for issuance of mental health cards and related certification to rehabilitation centres.
DySP Phassang Simi, members of the Anti-Narcotics Coordination Team (ANCoT), and representatives of various rehab centres of Papum Pare district also attended. (DIPRO)