Shyam Sood
Rajouri, March 26: Keeping in view the serious issue of growing drug menace in the district, District Magistrate Rajouri, Vikas Kundal, IAS in an order directed Chemist and Pharmacy shops in Rajouri city to install CCTV cameras with an aim to curb drug abuse and illegal trafficking.
The decision was taken at a meeting of a Narco Coordination Committee, which was attended by representatives from the police and health departments and other stakeholders.
In the District Magistrate order the owners of Chemist shops have been directed to install CCTV cameras as soon as possible. The cameras will monitor the sale of prescription drugs and act as a deterrent for illegal activities.
The Narco Coordination Committee has emphasised that the cameras will not infringe on the privacy of customers and patients as they will only record activities in the public area of the shop.
So far, 210 out of 470 cameras have been installed and the decision to install CCTV cameras has been welcomed by the local community and stakeholders.
“The installation of CCTV cameras is part of the Committee’s efforts to tackle drug abuse in the city. The Committee has been actively involved in raising awareness about the harmful effects of drugs and providing support to those struggling with addiction,” said an official.
The Narco Coordination Committee believes that installing CCTV cameras in chemist and pharmacy shops will help curb the illegal sale and misuse of drugs.
The Committee urges all chemists and pharmacy owners to cooperate with the authorities and install the cameras as soon as possible.
In an earlier meeting of the Narco Coordination Committee (held in January) besides discussing the importance of raising awareness about curbing the availability of drugs, various government and private initiatives for drug de-addiction and rehabilitation were also discussed.
“Drug abuse and addiction is a serious issue to be addressed with determination and resolve. We must take all necessary steps to ensure our citizens, both young and old, are provided with clean and healthy environments, free from drugs and their hazardous effects,” said DC Rajouri.
