Sayeed concerned over drug abuse in Kashmir

Jammu, March 23 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on Monday said he was concerned over drug abuse in the state, and that a multi-pronged strategy has to be evolved to check the menace.

Intervening during a question in the legislative council, Sayeed said to check drug trafficking strict action has to be initiated against the people involved.

He said the government has adopted a policy to control drug trafficking, broadly based on promotion of use of narcotic and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing their illicit traffic and abuse.

The chief minister said smugglers from across the international border were involved in the drug racket in the state and this needs to be checked immediately.

Health Minister Choudhary Lal Singh said a state-level apex committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary has been constituted which holds regular meetings on prevention of drug trafficking in the state.

He said the government has taken initiatives like establishment of drug addiction and treatment centres, sensitisation of consumers and continuous monitoring.

The minister said no person has been put behind bars in the last five years for drug trafficking.

He said three cases in Srinagar and one each in Baramulla, Kupwara, Kulgam and Shopian were registered during this period.