Nepal Police is collaborating with NARCONON Nepal and hopes to mobilize some 60,000 people in the anti-drug awareness campaign within six months. [break]
Nepal Police and NARCONON Nepal together announced the start of the campaign through a press conference on Wednesday. Both sides tried to assert the relevance of the campaign and highlighted its goals. They however, did not give any details about how the campaign would be effective in grassroot levels.
Nepal Police has formed a central mechanism team led by Additional Inspector General (AIG) Bhisma Prasai to steer the campaign. The committee comprises Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Binod Singh and NARCONON chairman Basanta Raj Kunwar.
As per the understanding Nepal Police will use its force in the field while NARCONON provides expert assistance.
AIG Prasai termed the campaign as a noble crusade while Kunwar said the campaign would provide a breakthrough in the country´s fight against the growing drug menace.
The campaign will form local pressure groups against drug use and trafficking in VDCS and municipalities throughout the country.
This is the first nationwide partnership between Nepal Police and a NGO in the recent years .
NARCONON has been involved in anti-drug activities. It says there are over 150,000 drug users in Nepal, three times the official government figures.
Of the total, 107,000 are the school children in grades 7 to 10, claimed NARCONON, of which 26,000 are girls.
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