As part of efforts to hone the investigation skills of drug enforcement officials, the Central Drugs Standardization Organization (CDSCO), South Zone, in association with the All India Drugs Control Officers’ Confederation (AIDCOC), is conducting a two-day training programme in Chennai on 3rd and 4th of April 2004 exclusively for the drug control officials in South India.

The programme is in line with the recommendations of the committee headed by Dr. Agarwal, Director General of Health Services, Government of India, and recommendations of Dr. Mashelkar committee on the need to provide specialized training programme to improve the investigation skills of drug control officials. AIDCOC has played a major role in designing the training module and implementing the same, and feels it was a matter of pride for the organization as the initiative has been recognized by the Government of India, according to S.W.Deshpande, secretary general, AIDCOC.

The training programme includes important topics like collecting of intelligence, sifting of intelligence and acting on such information to carry out successful raids, besides focus on intricacies of investigations under Drugs Act with emphasis on following clues and overcoming the obstacles. The programme will explain related provisions of Code of Criminal Procedures and Indian Evidence Act with a view to enable the officers to file proper complaints and conduct cases in the court in more effective manner. Senior or retired drug control officials, leading lawyers and top ranking police officials would share their experience in the training programme assisted with case studies, group discussion etc., said sources.

Conducted at Hotel GRT Grandays, Chennai, the meet with theme ‘improving investigation skills of drug control officers’, will have a participation of more than 150 officials from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry with a contingent of at least 30 officials from each state, besides a ten member team from CDSCO, New Delhi. The meet was likely to be inaugurated by Health Secretary, Tamil Nadu, said M. Dileep Kumar, Coordinator for the programme.

SW Deshpande, also joint commissioner (Vig), FDA, Maharashtra, Nilesh Gandhi, Drug Inspector, Maharashtra, O.S.Sadhwani, assistant commissioner (I.B.), FDA, Maharashtra, Advocate V.N.Krishnamurthy, former deputy director of prosecution, Dr.M.Subramaniyam, joint director of revenue intelligence, Government of India etc. are among the experts who will lead the training programmes.