Arunachal Govt to conduct toxicology tests on officials suspected of drug abuse

 

ITANAGAR: The government of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to conduct toxicology screening on government officials suspected of being addicted to drugs in the worst-affected districts of the state.

 

Moreover, the administration will keep a close watch on officials suspected of being involved in the drug trade.

 

Speaking at the meeting of the State Level Technical Expert Committee (SLTEC) at the secretariat, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar has expressed deep concern over the drug menace in the state.

 

Kumar said that Namsai, Dibang Valley, Upper Siang, Lohit, Anjaw, Changlang, West Kameng, and Tirap are among the 272 worst-affected districts in the country.

 

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The toxicology test will be carried out in the districts that are worst affected and government officials found involved in any drug related activities in any form would face strict action.

 

In secondary schools and senior secondary schools, and incorporation of women and PRI members, education on drug/substance abuse is imperative, he added.

 

In November 2020, the SLTEC was tasked) had been tasked with preparing a detailed Action Plan to resolve the rising threat of substance/drug abuse in Arunachal.

 

The SLTEC suggested, that the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) Executive Committee may be allowed to serve as a State Task Force to oversee the implementation of anti-drug programs. It recommended to the NCORD, with the guidance from the National Institute of Social Defence to engage in a study on “situational analysis on substance abuse in Arunachal Pradesh and its management.”