Faridabad: 186 teams to tackle drug peddling & addiction issue

Representative Image

FARIDABAD, Haryana: The district administration in Faridabad has decided to form 186 teams to gather information and tackle the issue of drug peddling and addiction. These teams will be formed under the state-level drive called ‘Dhakad’, and consist of around 1,794 government officials and elected representatives.

A district official said that they have witnessed a spike in drug peddling and addiction in the state, and ‘ganja’ worth crores has been seized from Faridabad and Palwal districts since 2019. He further said, “Properties of several persons involved in drug smuggling have been demolished in the past year as part of a special drive launched in 2022.”

‘Dhakad’ is a state-level drive to tackle the issue of drug peddling and the rising problem of addiction in the state. A district official informed, “The teams will be formed at various administrative levels. Officials of local administration, representatives of local bodies and police personnel will be involved. The teams will collect information on the drug addicts and the smuggling routes in both rural and urban areas.” Another official from the district said that these teams will be assisted by 344 police personnel.

Teams will receive frequent training to ensure smooth coordination among them. For the better implementation of this move, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) will be supervising the activities of these teams of officials.

Aprajita, ADC, informed that an orientation programme was organised for the government officials and elected representatives to make them aware of the details of the ‘Dhakad’ drive. ADC said, “In rural areas, sarpanches, panches, ASHA workers, numberdars and chowkidars will be part of the team. These teams will be headed by ward praharis at the gram panchayat ward-level. The teams will contact village residents to collect details of drug users and peddlers. The administration will then launch corrective measures. A monthly report will be prepared and submitted to the authorities concerned.”