Using twin strategy to tackle drug menace: SSP Jammu

Jammu, Apr 8: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu Vinod Kumar has stated that a twin strategy was being used to deal with drug menace which emerged as a major challenge across the district including capital city, where fourteen “drug hot-spots” were identified.

“Hot-spots have been put under intense surveillance with an enhanced deployment. 85 raids have been conducted and special branch officials are monitoring the operations. 13 drug dealers have been charged under the provisions of the stringent NDPS Act,” he said.

While speaking to the media, SSP said that the twin strategy involved awareness drives with particular focus on vulnerable target groups, youth and rehabilitation of young addicts, perceived as victims. “In this connection, a state-of-the art rehabilitation centre has also been opened in Jammu,” SSP Kumar said.

Giving an account of vigorous police drive against the drug-peddlers he stated that 85 peddlers were apprehended with contraband, mainly heroin while seventy-one cases were registered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the past over three months.

SSP said that in 47 cases, police successfully traced forward and backward linkages and in three cases, properties of drug peddlers were attached. He sought support of people in eradicating this menace and assured to take stringent action in case of involvement of police personnel in drug peddling.