Rajkot, July 18 — To protect the youth from falling into the trap of drug addiction, family awareness, positive peer influence, and institutional guidance are essential, said Police Commissioner Brajesh Kumar Jha during the Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting held in Rajkot. He emphasized that drug abuse spreads like a "chain reaction," turning not only students into addicts but also pushing them into becoming drug peddlers.
The commissioner underlined the importance of timely counseling and awareness drives in colleges and universities. He appealed for coordinated efforts among departments including the police, food and drug administration, agriculture, forest, and educational institutions to address the issue comprehensively.
In the past month, Rajkot police have taken action under the NDPS Act in 13 drug trafficking cases. Additionally, under the COTPA Act, ₹89,900 in cash was seized. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Parthrajsinh Gohil informed that 488 medical stores were inspected across the city, out of which one was found violating regulations related to sale of narcotic drugs.
Additional Commissioner of Police Mahendra Bagadia offered guidance on the role of university disciplinary committees, hostel regulations, and necessary measures for international students to ensure a drug-free academic environment.
The meeting was attended by DCP Jagdish Bangarwa, Assistant Collector Mahak Jain, and representatives from the SOG, Social Security Department, Forensics, Food & Drug Administration, Rehabilitation, Agriculture and Forest Departments, along with nodal officers from various universities in Rajkot.
The primary goal of the meeting was to strengthen coordination among all relevant departments and formulate an effective strategy to keep the youth away from drug abuse.
