The Andaman & Nicobar Police, in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services and multiple stakeholders, organized a high-energy motorcycle rally as part of a week-long campaign to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The initiative, aimed at spreading awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, also included official meetings, pharmacy inspections, and public outreach activities across the islands.
Flagged off by Senior Superintendent of Police (CID) Jitendra Kumar Meena, the bike rally saw around 70 riders from the police force and local youth groups hitting the streets with the powerful message of a drug-free society. The coordinated movement of motorcycles captured public attention as participants rode through key urban areas, reinforcing the collective call for vigilance and awareness in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
The public was urged to contribute to the anti-drug efforts by reporting suspicious activities related to drug abuse and trafficking. The Anti-Narcotics Police Station has dedicated helplines, 03192-234216, 9531856080, and 112, for citizens to share any such information.
Beyond the visual outreach, institutional efforts were also mobilized through high-level coordination. The 18th meeting of the Andaman and Nicobar Anti-Narcotic Force (ANTF), chaired by Inspector General of Police Sindhu Pillai, was held on May 27, 2025. The meeting emphasized the importance of multi-agency collaboration to address drug-related challenges in a coordinated manner across the Union Territory.
A key follow-up action took place on June 20, with an awareness meeting at the Directorate of Health Services, chaired by Director of Health Services and State Drug Controller, Dr. Suja Antony. The session engaged members of the Andaman and Nicobar Chemists and Druggists Association, along with retail and wholesale pharmacy owners. The meeting discussed the need for strict regulatory compliance to curb unauthorized drug sales and reduce the potential for misuse.
Concerns raised during the meeting included the sale of prescription medications such as anti-TB drugs without valid prescriptions, the unsafe distribution of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) pills in private outlets, and the unmonitored sale of sedative drugs like Alprazolam, Nitrazepam, Clonazepam, and Diazepam. Authorities highlighted that these practices pose serious health risks, particularly among youth.
Joint enforcement efforts between the Police Department and Drug Control authorities were discussed. Dr. Ganesh Samadder, Deputy Director (Medical), shared findings from recent surprise inspections, which revealed several irregularities, including the sale of restricted drugs by unauthorized persons and poor record-keeping for Schedule H and H1 drugs.
Private pharmacies were instructed to cooperate with authorities and report any suspicious purchases or behavior around their establishments. SSP (CID) Jitendra Kumar Meena emphasized the need for synergy among departments and private sector stakeholders to protect the youth from the dangers of drug addiction.
Ashok Biswas, Nodal Officer (Prohibition) from the Directorate of Social Welfare, urged the public to report suspicious activities involving children to 03192-244386 or 9933283106. Meanwhile, President of the A&N Chemists and Druggists Association, Vivek Mishra, assured full cooperation from all members in tackling drug abuse across the islands.
Drug Inspectors Sarbani Dass, R. Thiban Raj, and Dr. M. Sudhi engaged with stakeholders to reinforce compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Pharmacy Act, 1948. They underlined the need for maintaining detailed drug registers, installing CCTV cameras with a minimum 30-day backup, and ensuring proper licensing display and oversight by certified pharmacists. Shop owners were warned against operating without qualified personnel on site.
The awareness drive concluded with the administration of the Anti-Narcotic Pledge, followed by the joint flag-off of another symbolic motorcycle rally led by the Director of Health Services and the SSP (CID). Citizens were also encouraged to contact the Health Department at 9434266561 in case of suspected drug misuse around pharmacy stores.
Together, these events highlighted a proactive approach by authorities to strengthen enforcement, improve community participation, and promote responsible pharmaceutical practices in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
