Odisha Targets Six Drug Hotspots with Enforcement, Rehabilitation Push

Bhubaneswar: Odisha has intensified its efforts to tackle drug abuse in six identified narcotics hotspots, combining stronger action against trafficking networks with awareness drives, rehabilitation and alternative livelihood programmes for communities affected by the narcotics trade.

The districts identified as hotspots are Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Gajapati and Boudh. Authorities are conducting raids and awareness campaigns across blocks, gram panchayats and villages in these areas, while also working to reduce dependence on ganja cultivation by expanding livelihood options.

The measures were reviewed by Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday during a meeting on the implementation of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA), convened by the Special Task Force (STF) of the CID-Crime Branch at Lok Seva Bhawan.

The government is involving Panchayati Raj representatives along with Forest and Revenue officials to promote alternative sources of income in areas where ganja cultivation is prevalent. Proposed livelihood activities include agriculture, horticulture, goat rearing, poultry, pisciculture, plantation and skill development.

STF Inspector General Himanshu Lal briefed the meeting on the enforcement measures taken after the seventh State Narco-Coordination Meeting in June. The state has also stepped up efforts to dismantle inter-state narcotics networks through stronger coordination with neighbouring states and the Narcotics Control Bureau.

New investigation checklists and range-level task forces have been introduced to improve the quality of narcotics cases. An inter-state video conference involving West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and the NCB was held on September 10, while district-level Narcotics Coordination Committees are being strengthened.

Alongside the enforcement drive, Odisha is expanding its support system for people affected by substance use. Forty-one Integrated Rehabilitation Centres are currently functioning in the state under initiatives linked to the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR).

Another 11 DISHA rehabilitation centres are operational in 10 districts, with five additional centres in the process of being established. The remaining 16 districts are proposed to be covered in phases.

The rehabilitation approach is also being linked to skills and livelihood opportunities, with training in areas such as tailoring, handicrafts, incense-stick making and digital literacy aimed at supporting social and economic reintegration.

Garg called for the anti-drug campaign to move beyond enforcement and treatment to stronger community participation. She stressed the need to involve educational institutions, youth and women, Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies, NGOs, NSS, NCC and other social organisations in awareness, early identification, counselling, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.

The state’s approach under NMBA is thus focused on addressing both the supply and demand sides of narcotics, while creating livelihood alternatives in communities where cultivation and the drug trade have emerged as challenges.