Lucknow, March 24 -- Chief secretary SP Goyal on Monday directed all departments to act in close coordination and with urgency to curb drug abuse and trafficking, stressing strict legal action against those involved in consumption and illegal trade of narcotics.

Chairing a meeting of the state-level committee of the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD), Goyal said every district must hold at least two NCORD meetings every month and warned that districts falling short of this target should be issued strict instructions.

He emphasised that action must be intensified against identified hotspots, especially around schools, colleges, hostels and other sensitive locations, to protect the youth from the growing threat of substance abuse. Authorit...