Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday reviewed the implementation of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) in the state, with focus on curbing narcotics demand, intensifying enforcement against drug trafficking, strengthening rehabilitation and expanding public awareness.
The review meeting, convened by the Special Task Force (STF) of the CID-Crime Branch at Lok Seva Bhawan, discussed coordinated measures involving the Odisha Police, district administrations and various departments to prevent drug abuse and facilitate treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration of persons affected by substance use.
STF Inspector General Himanshu Lal briefed the meeting on the intensified crackdown on narcotics trade following the seventh State Narco-Coordination Meeting held in June. Officials said raids and awareness campaigns have been stepped up in blocks, gram panchayats and villages in six identified narcotics hotspots — Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Gajapati and Boudh. Authorities are also working with Panchayati Raj representatives and Forest and Revenue officials to promote alternative livelihoods in areas where ganja cultivation is prevalent.
The meeting was informed that enforcement against inter-state narcotics networks has been strengthened, with new investigation checklists and range-level task forces constituted to improve the quality of cases. Coordination with neighbouring states and the Narcotics Control Bureau has also been enhanced. An inter-state video conference involving West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and the NCB was held on September 10, while district-level Narcotics Coordination Committees are being strengthened.
On the rehabilitation front, 41 integrated rehabilitation centres are currently functioning in Odisha under initiatives linked to the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR). Besides, 11 DISHA rehabilitation centres are operational in 10 districts, with the process underway to establish five more centres. The remaining 16 districts will be covered in phases.
Officials said rehabilitation efforts are being linked with skill development and livelihood opportunities, including tailoring, handicrafts, incense-stick making and digital literacy. Garg stressed creating alternative livelihood options for people involved in ganja cultivation or the narcotics trade through agriculture, horticulture, goat rearing, poultry, pisciculture, plantation and skill-development activities.
The Chief Secretary also called for wider participation of educational institutions, youth, women, Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies, NGOs, NSS, NCC and other social organisations to strengthen community-level awareness, early identification, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation services.
