Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Shrimati Anu Garg emphasized the need for regular inspections, surprise raids, and joint monitoring by inter-departmental teams to stop illegal drug operations.
Chief Secretary Shrimati Garg was chairing the eighth state level meeting of the Narco Coordination Center, which was held at the Lok Seva Bhawan conference hall. The meeting focused on taking strong, coordinated steps to build a drug-free state while curbing illicit drug trade and substance abuse.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Industries and Information and Public Relations Shri Hemant Sharma, Director General of Police Shri Vinaytosh Mishra, STF IGP Shri Himanshu Lal, Secretary Women and Child Development Dr.Mrinalini Darswal, STF DIG Dr. K.V. Singh, NCB officials, and enforcement representatives from the Odisha Maritime Board, Navy, CISF, Bhubaneswar Airport, Railways, and Paradip Port.
The discussions covered various key aspects including drug demand reduction, public awareness campaigns, strengthening de-addiction centers, engaging youth in sports and creative pursuits, and transforming educational institutions into drug-free campuses.
To keep youth away from drugs, directions were given to prepare annual district sports calendars and organize more creative activities in vulnerable regions. Schools were instructed to set up internal committees to monitor students and ensure that pan shops are not located near educational premises.
Addressing illegal drug cultivation, the meeting highlighted providing farmers in affected regions with alternative crop options and livelihood opportunities alongside continuous village-level awareness programs. High-tech measures such as satellite imagery and remote sensing technology will be used to detect illegal cannabis cultivation and monitor alternative farming progress.
Currently, targeted awareness initiatives on the NDPS Act are underway in 198 villages across 80 hotspot Gram Panchayats in 22 blocks of the state.
Presentations by the Special Task Force and the Narco Coordination Center revealed that a special drive conducted from August 16 to August 31 reached around 267,900 students through 1,751 awareness sessions. Law enforcement efforts have also identified six inter-state drug syndicates and initiated action against them.
Additionally, discussions were held on reviewing pending legal cases involving foreign nationals, filing appeals against acquittals, and enforcing the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.