SAP observes Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
Posted by barunroy on June 28, 2008
FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK, June 26: The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was observed by the Sikkim Armed Police at the SAP cantonment at Pangthang this morning. Attending the occasion as the chief guest, DIG Range, Akshay Sachdeva in his address to the gathering highlighted the legalities of state police force as a law enforcing agency under NDPS Act of 1950 and Sikkim Anti Drugs Act of 2006 passed by the Indian government and Sikkim government.
In his deliberation, Mr. Sachdeva also informed the gathered police personnel about the legal punishment obligatory in nature as is enforceable under section 9 of Sikkim Anti-Drugs Act-2006, for people involved in selling drugs in an illicit manner and for the drug addicts found consuming drugs without the medical prescription of doctor. While in the former punishment, the accused will be put behind the bars for about six months alongside a fine of Rs 20,000 followed by cancellation of a business license, the latter punishment would mean that the guilty will have to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 and will have to undergo a compulsory detoxification and treatment at rehabilitation and treatment centers across the State.
The DIG Range also briefed the gathering about the enforceable lawful punishment for government employees found guilty of illicit consumption of drugs, for vehicles used in drug trafficking, for people arrested for selling high quantity of banned substances and drugs. His talk also informed of the constitution of a special court headed by a session’s judge under section 17 to look into cases of drug abuse and drug trafficking and the legal punishment for police personnel as a law enforcing agency whenever they fail to arrest the accused in drug abuse and drug trafficking.
The Medical Superintendent, Sir Thutob Namgyal Memorial Hospital, Dr IL Sharma, who was present as the guest of honour on his part emphasized at the collective effort of the police force, doctors, civil societies and NGOs to join hands together to fight the cause of drug abuse and drug trafficking with optimal dedication and devotion. Earlier, Dr CL Pradhan, a neuro psychiatrist highlighted at the diverse factors which encouraged a person to do drugs and indulge into alcoholism-with the prime factors as psychological and circumstantial factors. He was also particular about good parenting so as to bring up the child in a proper path and urged the gathering to develop diverse form of hobbies right from reading books and newspapers and indulging into recreation and sports so as to keep one’s mind busy with innovative and resourceful activities. The two hour long programme was also addressed by Manoj Tiwari, Commandant, Sikkim Armed Police and Dr BC Lakhera, a homeopathic doctor.
