CS pushes for robust tracking for lifelong rehabilitation of victims
Calls institutional support key to realise ‘Nasha Mukt J&K’
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting of senior officers to frame a robust mechanism for the rehabilitation and reintegration of drug abuse victims across Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting brought together Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretaries of General Administration, Social Welfare, School Education; Secretaries of Health & Medical Education, Skill Development, Labour & Employment, Rural Development; Director General, Budget; Director, Information; Managing Director, JKRLM; Director Colleges, and other concerned officials.
While reviewing the framework, the Chief Secretary stressed the importance of systematic tracking of every registered drug abuse victim seeking treatment to ensure sustained handholding, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. He emphasized that individuals must be monitored for several years post-treatment and provided opportunities in livelihood generation, skill development, self-employment, or education, based on individual rehabilitation needs.
Highlighting institutional support, he called for dovetailing resources and manpower across multiple departments to ensure comprehensive assistance at every stage of recovery. While family and societal support is crucial, he observed that long-term reintegration depends on strong institutional mechanisms. He also stressed that motivating victims for treatment is only the first step, which must be complemented by follow-up, counselling, and livelihood support to prevent relapse.
To ensure accountability, he directed the creation of a district-level monitoring framework led by senior officers, supported by dedicated teams to identify gaps and track rehabilitation outcomes. He also instructed the development of an integrated online platform with clearly defined departmental roles and unique identification for each beneficiary for real-time tracking and case management.
During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez, presented the proposed inter-departmental coordination and post-rehabilitation framework under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan. The Task Force, chaired by Principal Secretary, Home, will focus on multi-departmental coordination, standardized screening and referral mechanisms, trained psychiatrists in hospitals, supply reduction, and strengthening rehabilitation processes.
The framework envisages standardized rehabilitation protocols, counselling units, skill development, livelihood support, self-employment assistance, and private sector partnerships for sustainable recovery. School-based preventive programmes, community engagement initiatives, post-care monitoring, infrastructure strengthening, and capacity building were also emphasized.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Chief Secretary Dulloo stressed that addressing drug abuse requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to safeguard youth and build a healthier society.
