GANGTOK: A coordination meeting on drug abuse prevention and burglary under 27 Gangtok Constituency was held at a local hotel in Gangtok on Tuesday.
The meeting was chaired by MLA-cum-Advisor, Urban Development and Food & Civil Supplies Departments, Delay Namgyal Barfungpa.
The agenda focused on addressing issues related to drug abuse, theft, and robbery. Discussions included the development of strategies to prevent substance abuse, review of penalties for drug-related offences, and the preparation of an action plan outlining proposed interventions. Participants discussed educational efforts, awareness initiatives, support mechanisms, and the establishment of rehabilitation centres and helplines for affected individuals.
MLA Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, in his address, stated the need to tackle the rising cases of drug abuse, theft, and related offences. He said the community must take responsibility and cooperate to address these challenges. He added that engagement at the community level, effective policing, and continuous awareness initiatives were necessary to address these concerns.
DIG Gangtok Range, Tenzing Loden Lepcha, explained the types of substances being used in the state and outlined the purpose of the meeting. He said the police were working to limit the supply and distribution of drugs. He added that rehabilitation and reintegration required active participation from society. He also mentioned the need for skill development and recovery-focused schemes to support former users, stating that drug abuse was a societal issue requiring coordinated responses.
District Collector Gangtok, Tushar Nikhare, said support during the recovery phase and reintegration was essential. He stressed the role of society in engaging with individuals recovering from substance abuse. He also highlighted the need to involve local talent in productive activities. He asserted that the district administration has taken steps to create platforms for youth to develop and use their skills. He called for mentorship and entrepreneurship development programmes to guide young people towards constructive paths.
Superintendent of Police Gangtok, Mahendra Subba, spoke on the difficulties faced by law enforcement, especially in obtaining cooperation from the public, such as producing witnesses in drug-related cases. He expressed concern about the decreasing participation of youth in physical activity and said there was a need to build empathy and responsibility among young people. He stated that community involvement was necessary to reduce illegal activities.
The meeting also had the presence of Deputy Mayor, GMC, Tshering Palden Bhutia, Councillors, Youth Convenors, Police personnel, government officials, and other participants.
The meeting concluded with discussions and inputs from all attendees, who shared their experiences and perspectives.
- IPR Report
