Telangana to adopt multi-pronged approach to deal with drug menace

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday directed the police and excise authorities to adopt a multi-pronged approach to deal with the drug menace in the State. He emphasised on the need for setting up a Counter Intelligence Cell and strengthen the existing force with latest technology and training. He wanted the authorities to […]

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday directed the police and excise authorities to adopt a multi-pronged approach to deal with the drug menace in the State. He emphasised on the need for setting up a Counter Intelligence Cell and strengthen the existing force with latest technology and training. He wanted the authorities to eradicate the social evil from the State by encouraging citizen participation and also initiate stringent action against the culprits.

At a high level meeting with the police and excise officials held at Pragathi Bhavan here, the Chief Minister said with effective implementation of law and order, the State was put on the development track within a short span. But the menace of narcotic substances which is increasing around the world, was disturbing the entire atmosphere. “We must address the issue tactfully with a multi-pronged approach,” he said, adding that innovative programmes should be designed to mobilise the people in the fight against drug abuse.

Chandrashekhar Rao said on the lines of Greyhounds, a specialist unit must be established to work exclusively against the drug abuse. He directed DGP M Mahender Reddy to establish a State-of-the-Art Counter Intelligence Cell, specially recruited with 1,000 well-trained personnel drawn from police and excise departments. Special incentives like awards, rewards, accelerated promotions and other benefits will be provided to the officers who display exemplary services in drug control. Funds will not be an issue, he declared.

The Chief Minister made it clear that the police officers need not hesitate to take stringent action against those involved in drug abuse and reject any requests from the elected representatives to protect the criminals, notwithstanding their party affiliation. The authorities were instructed to trace out the sources of the organised criminal systems involved in trade, consumption of narcotic substances like ganja and initiate stringent measures to curb the drug usage, setting an example for others.

He suggested for adopting a two-pronged strategy to control drug usage. “The first step is to identify those who are already addicted to drugs and facilitate de-addiction with the support of their family members. An action plan should be prepared and submitted immediately. The next step would be, identifying the youth who are attracted to drug use as well as identifying and eliminating the drug supply network,” he added.

To detect and curb the drug mafia, the State police were advised to use sophisticated weapons as well as latest technology and deploy skilled police officers who could tackle the drug mafia. Chandrashekhar Rao directed that a team of Telangana police officers be formed to study the policies adopted by the Scotland Yard police, the Punjab police and others with best drug control methods to identify and apprehend drug offenders.

“The use of narcotic drugs like cannabis, cocaine and LSD in Telangana, is at a nascent stage. But, studies show that young people are increasingly attracted to drug use. Hence, the family members, regardless of their financial condition, must be vigilant and focus on their children’s habits,” he urged. He directed the police officers to seek the community participation in drugs control and also organise awareness programmes and meetings with village sarpanches, teachers, lecturers and students in this regard.

Chandrashekhar Rao directed Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar to stop Rythu Bandhu and other incentives to the entire village, if they fail to inform the authorities concerned in case of ganja cultivation in their area. He wanted the officials concerned to treat drug control as a social responsibility rather than considering it as a job. The police were instructed to register cases under the Preventive Detention (PD) Act against those involved in the crime.

To ensure that the the offenders do not escape from conviction in the courts, the officials were directed to collect all relevant evidence including forensic reports and present them to the prosecutors. In this regard, the government strengthen the ‘Forensic Lab’ and other wings with latest technology. As those who got addicted to drugs and also traders were able to get bail and continue with their offences after coming out of prison, the Chief Minister wanted the officials to take appropriate legal advice in advance and ensure that habitual offenders do not go scot-free. He also asked the officials to increase awareness among people against drug abuse through documentaries and advertisements as well as movies and media.