The SCPCR chief Usha Negi has instructed the Women Empowerment and Child Development (WECD) department to start an awareness campaign in rural areas against the increasing substance abuse among children through Anganwadi workers. Such workers can also gather data about child peddlers and those who use children for such crimes, stated Negi.
On Wednesday, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) conducted a meeting to review the progress made by various departments against the increasing substance abuse in the State. The representatives of the departments concerned revealed the action taken by them since the last meeting in January with the commission. The social welfare department disclosed that they have sent a proposal to set up rehabilitation centres in State Mental Health Institute of Selaqui and Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Institute Of Medical Science and Research, Srinagar. However, Negi directed the department to establish counselling centres for children in Gandhi Shatabdi Eye Hospital and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Government hospital too. Further, the health department also informed Negi about the work of establishing a rehabilitation centre in Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) with the budget of Rs five lakhs which is under process.
Moreover, the officials from the State drugs control also informed that all the medical stores have CCTV cameras installed in their premises and the sale of restricted drugs is also being monitered. The police department informed that on the basis of 223 First Information Reports (FIRs), the department has arrested 236 culprits under Operation Satya and is currently investigating the peddlers and suppliers of the drugs. Meanwhile, Negi also expressed her disappointment against the officials of some departments for not taking any concrete action on the issue. She directed them to take initiatives in coordination with other departments and emphasised on coming prepared in the next review meeting.
Thursday, 18 February 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
