Jammu, March 28 Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakeena Itoo said on Saturday that the National Conference-led government is determined to eradicate the drug menace and is preparing to introduce a bill on drug de-addiction during the ongoing budget session.
The minister made the statement while replying to a question raised by Congress Legislator, Iftikar Ahmad, regarding drug de-addiction centres and supplementary questions by NC’s Tanvir Sadiq and BJP’s Bharat Bhushan in the Legislative Assembly during question hour.
Itoo said the bill on drug de-addiction is ready and the government is making efforts to table it in the assembly during the current session.
The government’s focus remains on reducing the incidence of drug abuse across the Union Territory, rather than merely increasing the number of de-addiction centres, she said.
The minister underlined that the Health department has deployed counselors in each village of Jammu and Kashmir to train former Panchayat members, religious preachers and heads, respectable citizens and others on tackling the menace of drug abuse in the society.
She also highlighted that the Health department is continuously providing treatment, counseling and rehabilitation facilities to drug abuse victims, and the responsibility of law enforcement and conviction lies with other departments.
The minister said the government is taking appropriate action against the Drug De-addiction centres run by NGOs if they are violating any rules.