For the first time in 45 years after the promulgation of the Drug Control Act, 1977, a 'Drug Control Officer' has been appointed as per the provisions of the Act.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Government of Nepal on January 5 on the initiative of Home Minister Bal Krishna Khanna, said Gokarna Prasad Upadhyaya, Chief Deputy Secretary, Drug Control Branch, Ministry of Home Affairs. The government has decided to appoint a branch chief of the drug control branch of the ministry and one assistant chief district officer of each district administration office as a 'drug control officer'. Earlier, the Chief of Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division was appointed as the Chief Drug Control Officer in the Ministry.
The Act provides for the appointment of one or more Drug Control Officers, Deputy Drug Control Officers, and other officers as required. He said that the arrangement has been made to maintain the morality, health, facilities, and economic interests of the people as the incidents and problems of drug use, smuggling, sale, and distribution are increasing in the country. Earlier, the efforts and activities of the Drug Control Branch of the Ministry and the Drug Control Bureau of Nepal Police were seen to be insufficient.
The 'Drug Control Officer' has been assigned the responsibility of spreading awareness for drug control and prevention, monitoring drug entry points, coordinating with the state and local level, and reporting related activities to the Ministry.
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