Dehradun: : The district administration officials on Wednesday directed the departments concerned to speed up work on a child rehabilitation center in Dehradun during a meeting of the District Narcotics Coordination Committee. The center was announced by the administration in Nov last year.Additional district magistrate KK Mishra said departments have been asked to run awareness campaigns against substance abuse through schools, panchayats and social organizations. “This campaign must continue regularly and involve every section of society,” he said.Officials were also directed to increase CCTV surveillance around schools and other sensitive areas, activate anti-drug committees in educational institutions, and promote helpline number 1933, the NCV Manas portal and the district de-addiction center helpline (9625777399). Surprise inspections and random checks at colleges and universities were also ordered to curb drug abuse.“The growing use of chemical substances among youth is a serious concern and a threat to society’s future. Strict action is needed to break the drug supply chain,” Mishra said.Officials said the district has 84 registered and two unregistered de-addiction centres. Of these, 23 were found non-functional, while action was taken against 15 centers over irregularities. At the 30-bed de-addiction center in Raiwala, six patients have recovered and been discharged, while 14 are undergoing treatment.
